Local Small Business Spotlight: Gruene Tea Haus (New Braunfels, TX)
Small businesses are the heart of our community, and I’m excited to kick off a new project highlighting local businesses in New Braunfels, Texas, that are doing something unique, inspiring, or just plain wonderful.
I’ll be sharing their stories, what makes them special, and how you can support them. These features go beyond what someone does, they’re about the people behind the business, the stories that shaped them, and the heart they bring to our community.
Meet the Owners of Gruene Tea Haus
For the first feature, I had the pleasure of spending time with Casey and Albert Luna, owners of Gruene Tea Haus, a locally owned tea house in the Gruene district of New Braunfels.
If you haven’t already visited their space, you absolutely must. It’s warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. Casey and Albert are truly fabulous people who care deeply about their craft and their community.
About the Business
Tell us about your business and what you offer.
Gruene Tea Haus is a locally owned tea house offering high-quality, all-natural loose leaf teas with no artificial flavoring. Every flavor you taste comes from the tea itself or real botanicals, spices, and herbs. We serve tea by the pot for guests who want to slow down and stay awhile, as well as to-go options, cold brews, retail teas, and tea-infused baked goods made in-house. Our space is designed to be calm and welcoming—a place to meet a friend, read a book, or simply enjoy a really good cup of tea.
How Gruene Tea Haus Began
What inspired you to start this business, and how did it come to life here in New Braunfels?
Albert has always enjoyed working from coffee shops, but as someone who doesn’t drink coffee, he found himself settling for poorly brewed, bitter green tea. We both enjoy traveling and visiting local tea shops and we decided that we needed to create a space where tea doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Gruene Tea Haus was created to be a place designed specifically for tea lovers, where tea is brewed correctly, quality matters, and people can truly slow down and enjoy the experience.
Serving the New Braunfels Community
What do you love most about serving this community?
The people. We love getting to know our customers, helping find teas that fit their needs and personalities, and watching friendships form across tables. There’s something really special about being part of people’s routines—whether that’s a weekly tea break, a quiet moment during a busy day, or a place they bring friends from out of town. The sense of support and kindness in this community means everything to us.
Behind the Scenes of a Small Business
What’s something most people don’t see or know about running your business day-to-day?
There’s a lot of care and intention behind the scenes. From sourcing teas and blending custom teas to baking with tea, and constantly tasting and learning, it’s very hands-on. We’re always thinking about how to make the experience better. We have also done everything ourselves. We’re a true Ma and Pa shop. We didn’t hire our first employee until over a year after we opened our doors.
Values That Guide Their Work
What values guide the way you show up for your clients or customers?
Authenticity, quality, and hospitality. We believe in being honest about what we serve, choosing quality over shortcuts, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome. It doesn't matter if they’re a longtime tea drinker or trying loose leaf tea for the first time, we want everyone to feel at home. Education without intimidation is important to us; we want people to feel comfortable and curious.
How to Support Gruene Tea Haus
How can the community best support your business right now?
The simplest ways make the biggest difference—visiting us, bringing a friend, following and sharing our posts on social media, and telling others about their experience. Word of mouth is incredibly powerful for small businesses like ours.
Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters
I love this community and the people that make it amazing! Gruene Tea Haus is a beautiful example of what makes New Braunfels such a special place to live and work.
I encourage you to stop by for a visit, follow them on social media (links below), and share this post to help spread the love for local!
Supporting small businesses truly strengthens our community.
If you’re a local business or community member in New Braunfels and would like to be featured in a future post, feel free to reach out. I’d love to connect!
Gruene Tea Haus
2327 Gruene Lake Dr. Suite C,
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Website: www.grueneteahaus.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@grueneteahaus
Facebook: facebook.com/grueneteahaus
Instagram: instagram.com/gruene_tea_haus