American Tea Room plans to open new shop downtown

American Tea Room announced a new Los Angeles store in the works. The Beverly Hills tea retailer is opening a second location in downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District.

The 5,600-square-foot space on Santa Fe Avenue will include a tasting room and “oasis garden tea lounge” as well as its corporate offices and online headquarters to accommodate the company’s growing Internet business. American Tea Room says its online sales have increased more than 30% since 2006.

CEO and founder David Barenholtz said in a statement that he secured new investors “with significant capital” to expand the company and brand. He added: The Arts District is “one of the most exciting and vibrant neighborhoods in Los Angeles, with even more growth on the horizon.”

Barenholtz expects construction at the downtown location to begin next month and to open the store to the public by November.

Meanwhile, a renovation of the Beverly Hills location will accommodate more customers in an expanded retail space with indoor and outdoor seating and a more comprehensive food menu.

Barenholtz said he is also looking to open additional stores in Los Angeles, Orange County and New York by 2015.

American Tea Room, 401 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 271-7922; 909 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles; www.americantearoom.com.