From flowers to Frappuccinos to fruit tea
The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon cutting for Teazentea, a new business in the Village at the former Starbucks location. It was also the site of City Councilmember Kookie Fitzsimmons’ flower shop 20 years ago.
“I remember my years in the flower shop fondly,” Fitzsimmons says. “I met so many wonderful people. I wish Phu Nguyen, Yuqi and son Daniel all the best in their exciting new adventure.”
Teazentea offers a variety of teas: boba, fruit, milk and others you may never have tried. Beyond tea, they offer smoothies, slushies and coffee. 14410 Big Basin Way, www.teazentea.com
Summer is winding down, but the Saturday farmers’ market at West Valley College is going strong year-round. You can get your knives sharpened while you shop for $6-$12 per knife at Brent Evans’ Cutting Edge Sharpening Tent.
The market’s “Corn Man” Sean Hayden is predicting just a few more weeks for his corn sales. He’s been selling at the farmers’ market for 27 years, starting at age 16. His somewhat corny pitch, “My corn is sweeter than my mother-in-law” and “If you don’t like it, you can return for a full refund,” sure works. Hayden sells 2,500 ears on average each Saturday in Saratoga.
My favorite produce stand is Novakovich Orchards, tucked down a Fruitvale Avenue driveway. They have wonderful fresh produce and are one of the last remaining family orchards in our valley. Well worth supporting. novakovichorchards.blogspot.com
I stopped in at the new Wild Hare Haberdashery in the Saratoga Village. What a great shop, full of craft projects and ideas. Marleene Beumer of Los Altos was there with daughters Judi McCallum of Florence, Oregon, and Susie Beaton from Vacaville.
Their itinerary also included coffee, brunch, a visit to Montalvo Arts Center, getting a manicure and pedicure, lunch, visiting the historical museum, picking up books from the Book-Go-Round, wine tasting, an early dinner and a concert at the Mountain Winery.
“We love Saratoga and have been coming here for years and began when my parents came visiting from Seattle,” Beumer said.
The Saratoga Safety Fair is an event well worth attending to get tips that may save lives . It’s a chance to meet the many people and organizations that work to keep us safe. It’s set for Sunday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Joan Pisani Community Center. Meet our firefighters, K9 Deputy Zel and his partner Deputy Edwards; talk with School Resource Officer Perez about school and student safety; and learn home wildfire preparedness. Find how you can help keep your neighborhood safe by joining the Saratoga Neighborhood Watch. Pre-packed disaster kit backpacks equipped with three days’ worth of supplies for up to four people can be preordered for at www.saratoga.ca.us/ for pickup at the event.
Looking for a place to hold an event? Check out The Venue Saratoga. The versatile space can accommodate formal sit-down lunches and dinners or more casual cocktail-style events. Also offered are catering, wedding coordination, chef services and service staffing. www.thevenuesaratoga.com
If you have social or business news about Saratoga, please let me know: debby@debbyrice.com.