Enjoy custom blended herbal tea and more.

Serenity awaits at cozy herbal shop and tea lounge in Atascadero

—When owner and community herbalist Riana Martinez set out to help her family and friends improve their physical and spiritual health, little did she know just how many people would benefit from her expertise. Today, Martinez shares her knowledge and welcoming ways at her unique and cozy shop in Atascadero, The Green Apothecary, where she offers a variety of herbal products, teas, services, and more to individuals throughout San Luis Obispo County and beyond.

A passion becomes a reality

After 20 years of unfulfilling work in the corporate world, Martinez’s foray into herbalism happened purely out of curiosity. While she created various herbal concoctions to help loved ones manage various ailments, her sister asked Martinez how she knew so much about plants.

“It really got me thinking, How do I know so much?” Martinez said. “I figured since I was already creating teas for loved ones intuitively, I might as well get some education on the subject.”

As she started taking classes with the Herbal Academy, her passion for using plants for wellness grew. That passion led Martinez to leave her corporate job behind and start The Green Omen Apothecary. The name for her business was partially inspired by the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, where she learned about the word “omen” and its meaning – prophetic significance.

“When the opportunity to open my shop came up, everything seemed to come together so perfectly that it was impossible to ignore,” she said. “There were signs everywhere that I needed to take a leap of faith towards my passion for using my knowledge of plants to help others.”

Green is her favorite color, and Martinez has always felt old apothecary shops hold a special kind of charm that she longed to recreate. It’s easy to understand why these three words hold such special meaning for her, and why The Green Omen Apothecary is the perfect name for her business.

Peaceful, warm, and welcoming vibes

When planning the décor and intention of her shop, Martinez carefully considered the aromas, colors, and textures as well as the furniture placement. With touches of green, gold, white, and black, the inside space exudes a natural yet enchanting vibe.

A feature wall boasting a collection of local antique artifacts gives Martinez the chance to express her creativity and has become her favorite part of the shop. Outside, guests may enjoy sitting at tables surrounded by the overgrowth of ivy, lavender, sage, and a bounty of other luscious green plants.

“The biggest compliment I receive from customers is that the space is especially peaceful, warm, and welcoming,” she said. “Energy is very important to me. I feel if I put out the intention of comforting energy, it will be felt the moment you walk through the door.”

Many customers are taken by the selection of beautiful healing crystals in the shop, according to Martinez, and she takes pride in offering a selection of locally made products in addition to her own. Find natural personal-care items such as moisturizing body oils and healing balms, house plants, and more at The Green Omen Apothecary.

Riana Martinez, owner and herbalist.

Relaxing tea lounge

Not only is Green Omen a retail space, but it’s also a tea lounge where visitors may enjoy made-to-order beverages including tea lattes, mocktail elixirs, and custom-brewed teas. Whether relaxing in the shop’s indoor and outdoor spaces or grabbing a drink to go, there’s truly something for everyone. Be sure to ask about The Green Omen loyalty program, the more you visit, the more you save!

When it comes to herbal loose-leaf tea blends, Sleep Sweet is by far the best seller year-round at Green Omen. Other popular blends include Brain Fog and Comforted.

Among the many prepared herbal beverages offered at the tea lounge, the Golden Moon and Blue Moon lattes are the top customer favorites. Martinez names the Jasmine Aura, made with jasmine green tea, honey, oat milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, as her current go-to drink.

“The feeling the Jasmine Aura gives me while drinking it is heavenly, that’s the best way I can describe it! We also offer mocktail elixirs, which are perfect for the warmer months, and all my beverages are as nutritious as they are delicious.”

All of the teas and herbs are sourced from a California supplier with nearly five decades of distributing herbs and spices from farmers across the globe. In addition, all botanicals are organic, and the herbal-infused syrups are created by Martinez in small batches to ensure her guests receive the freshest sweetener possible.

Martinez offers custom herbal blends for a variety of ailments. One-on-one intuitive herbal consultations are also available for those with complex situations that may require more in-depth conversations.

Tea parties, workshops, and more

The space at The Green Omen Apothecary is ideal for hosting various types of events such as tea parties, mocktail elixir-making experiences, and magical workshops.

“We have also hosted sound baths, sister circles, and many other types of events,” Martinez said. “In fact, many people are first introduced to the space through these wonderful gatherings.”

Tea flights are popular with groups of friends. Choose three or four different beverages to experience while Martinez shares detailed descriptions of the ingredients and benefits each has to offer. Guests may also pre-order a cheese box prepared by another local business to pair with their beverages.

Subscription boxes will be available soon, giving guests near and far the opportunity to partake in The Green Omen Apothecary experience. Various levels of boxes for the casual tea drinker up to the aspiring herbalist will be offered. Check the website and social media for upcoming announcements and availability.

The Green Omen Apothecary is located at 6280 Palma Ave. in Atascadero. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit greenomenapothecary.com or call (805) 464-2175.

—Meagan Friberg