BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
One of the distinctly differently decorated windows is pictured.
LOCK HAVEN — Though their shop has been soft-opened for a short time now, Ali Arico and Aly Di Costanzo are hosting the grand opening of their shop: Two Maidens Tea Room and Cafe.
Today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the pair are having special hours for the event from 1 – 7 p.m. at their shop located at 108 E. Main St. in Lock Haven.
They will have their expanded menu which will have savory and sweet pastries, pre-packaged pastries such as edible cookie dough and cake pops, coffee and tea.
When you buy something during Labor Day weekend your name is entered into a raffle as well.
The basket being raffled off will contain merchandise from Two Maidens Tea Room and Cafe, The White Knights Game Room and art by Ellora Figured. The winner will be chosen on Monday.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
One of the distinctly differently decorated windows is pictured.
Their shop and cafe has something that everyone will love.
“We sell our favorite things,” said Arico, “We have the side of the store that is more Aly’s aesthetic and then a side of the store that matches my aesthetic.”
“I like to liken it to stepping inside of our minds,” said Di Costanzo, “It’s an explosion of chaos and color. We’re big on empowerment, self expression and being unapologetically yourself. Two Maidens is women owned, LGBTQ owned.”
The shop has two gorgeous storefront windows each decorated differently, but both focusing on individualism. One side features a darker aesthetic with items such as tarot cards, crystals, incense and other spiritual items. The other side is full of brighter colors — featuring home decor, a few books, stickers and much more.
The main purpose of the business, however, is the tea room and cafe aspect.
The outside of the shop at 108 E. Main St. in Lock Haven is seen.
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
“I used to run multiple bakeries that were part of a franchise in Colorado and I loved it,” said Arico, “(Aly) has Celiac Disease so she can’t have gluten. There’s a lot of gluten free and sugar free (options.) There’s no reason why someone who can have those things couldn’t also like a gluten free brownie or vegan cookie.”
“We like to tailor to diets that don’t get tailored to a lot,” said Di Costanzo.
The tea aspect of the tea shop was the pair’s dream from the beginning. Their specialty will be curated blends that the two of them develop themselves.
“When we chose our name I did a lot of research. Tea rooms traditionally in Japan are places where you go, sit, have tea and talk. You’d sit down and enjoy being human and, we like to say, spill your tea. We are a safe space. If you need somewhere to go to just feel safe for five minutes you don’t have to spend a penny,” said Di Costanzo.
“Now that we’re going to have our teas for sale, it’s all about tea and tea,” said Arico. “We’re finally going to be fulfilling that dream that we had from the beginning. We’re super excited for our grand opening. This is the actual vision of what Two Maidens was at the beginning and it’s finally coming to a reality.”
BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS
The front desk and some of the sweet treats at Two Maidens Tea Room and Cafe are pictured. The shop is having its grand opening today.
Their new shop hours, beginning after their grand opening, are as follows:
— Sunday and Monday, Closed
— Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
— Friday and Saturday, 12 – 7 p.m.
They will also be offering online ordering for pick-up only beginning next week.
