981 Tea Shop in Marietta, GA: Loose Leaf Teas, Herbs, and Classes

Loose Leaf Tea in Marietta: 981 Tea Shop YouTube Video

A Tea Shop That Feels Familiar

981 Tea Shop sits at 2932 Canton Road, Suite 230, in Marietta, and it is where I buy my loose tea. My own favorites are a white tea called Cha Cha Chai and an herbal tea called Blueberry Sapphire. Inside the shop, you will find loose leaf tea, along with herbs, spices, teapots, tea accessories, and seasonal gifts.

I stopped by on November 10 to restock my Cha Cha Chai, since I had used the last of it that morning. While I was there, I talked with the owner, Robert Rodenberger, about the shop for this post and video. What came through most was his pride in how the community has embraced the shop, and in the vibe and energy it has developed.

I found 981 Tea Shop roughly two years ago, back when he was still in an antique market in Acworth. I was looking for a place nearby that sold loose leaf tea so I could stop buying bagged tea from the store, and I was thrilled to find a shop like his so close by.

I love that he always remembers who I am, along with my favorites. For anyone new to the area, a shop that remembers you can make a place feel like home, and that is a big part of why I chose 981 Tea Shop for this video.

What You Will Find on the Shelves

Loose leaf tea is the heart of the shop. The owner described the basic teas as the classics, such as Ceylon and Darjeeling, as well as Earl Grey and green tea. And, of course, you will find an assortment of infusers and strainers, teapots and kettles, tea sets, and other tea accessories. I love browsing the teapots.

The shop also has a section of herbs, separate from the teas, including fennel seeds, frankincense resin, marshmallow root, and lemon balm. Robert said the shop sells a lot of herbs and that he is expanding the herb section. The spice shelves include taco, Cajun, chili-lime, Greek, and Bar-B-Q seasonings, seasoned pepper, and vanilla powder, and you will also find olive oils and black garlic. At this time of year, the shop leans toward gifts. Robert said there are more gift items than usual right now, including soaps, coasters, and a local chef's gourmet goods, and I also saw journals on my visit.

Handcrafted and Sourced Direct

Robert describes the teas he stocks as handcrafted. For the basic teas, he buys through suppliers he has worked with for decades, who deal directly with the growers, and he said most of those growers are generational farmers.

Make-Your-Own-Tea Classes

He also leads classes on putting together your own tea mix. Each class has room for eight people, which keeps it intimate and hands-on. He told me he often tries a variation or a new recipe in his classes, and sometimes a new mix from the class makes its way onto the shelf. Some regulars have taken multiple classes and keep notebooks full of recipes and notes. Last May, one class used fruity teas to make Jell-O and popsicles.

Classes take a break in November and December while the shop is busy with the holidays. They return in January with two levels, an introductory class and a new advanced class. The January class will have an herbal theme, and he plans to post the 2027 schedule in the second week of December. Check the shop's website or social pages for updates.

The Story Behind the Name

The owner told me his tea business began in an antique market with about 175 vendors, none of whom sold tea. He brought in a few lines of tea and they took off, and his space grew from one booth to four.

The 981 in the name matches the last three digits of the shop's phone number. A friend told Robert that 981 is an angel number, one that some people take to mean a fresh start, and he liked that idea enough to keep it.

Celebrating a First Year

The shop moved into its Canton Road space last November. On Saturday, November 7, it celebrated its first anniversary with a sale. The owner said the first customer arrived at 8:15 that morning, nearly three hours before the 11 a.m. opening, and that customers lined up at the register all day. He said it was the shop's best single day, and that the community has been very supportive.

981 Tea Shop is listed as a nominee in the Boutiques category of the Georgia Business Journal's 2027 Best of Georgia voting. Robert also told me the shop is up for Best of Cobb in 2027, in both the boutique and gift shop categories.

Planning Your Visit

981 Tea Shop is at 2932 Canton Road, Suite 230, Marietta, GA 30066. Right now, the shop is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It will be open seven days a week through the end of the year, closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours and stock can change, so call 404-432-0981 or check the shop's website, 981teashop.com, before you go, especially if you have a favorite in mind.

For another Atlanta place with a story behind it, read my post about The Fox Theatre in Midtown Atlanta.

If you are planning a move to the Atlanta area, my post on how to choose where to live in metro Atlanta is a good place to start, and I am happy to share more of the local shops and places I know.

Michelle Campbell | Campbell Group at Epique Realty | campbellgrouprealty.com