Our Story: From a Dream to a Journey

Bureikou Tea & More started as a small dream shared by two people with a deep love for culture, community, and loose-leaf tea. Owned and operated by Tim & Angie Hokanson, our shop was born out of shared passions that grew alongside us over the years.

Where Our Journey Began

For Angie, anime was a central part of growing up. Every afternoon was spent gathered around the TV with her brothers and parents watching anime—a daily routine that fostered cherished family memories and a lifelong love for anime intros, outros, and sound tracks.

Tim developed a deep fascination with Japanese history—especially the culture and legacy of the Samurai—alongside a shared love for anime from a young age. Japanese culture naturally became an integral part of both of their lives.

When Tim and Angie met, their mutual appreciation for anime and Japanese heritage blossomed into a shared love for fine loose-leaf tea. After working together at Teavana, they dreamed of one day owning a tea shop of their own. When Teavana closed its doors, it opened a new path forward: the opportunity to purchase a tea shop and make it entirely their own.

Building Our Beloved Shop

Tim and Angie poured their hearts into creating a vibrant, welcoming space filled with fine loose-leaf teas, anime, miscellaneous merchandise, and fun community activities. It became a place where tea lovers and pop-culture enthusiasts alike could relax and connect.

Facing Hardships & Looking Ahead

Life brought unexpected challenges—health struggles, the loss of dear friends, and the heartbreaking decision to rehome their beloved dog. Faced with these heavy hardships, Tim and Angie had to make the painful decision to close the doors of their beloved physical shop.

However, this is not the end of the story—it is simply a pause before the next chapter.

Today, Tim and Angie are focusing on taking care of their health, settling bills, and saving up to return stronger than ever. They are hard at work reimagining what Bureikou Tea & More can become, with fresh ideas and an even greater passion for bringing you exceptional teas and experiences.

Thank you for being part of our journey and supporting our dream. We can't wait to share what's coming next!

What "Bureikou" Means to Us

When we named our shop, we wanted to portray a true sense of belonging. The word Bureikou comes from the Japanese concept of putting aside formal etiquette, social rank, and everyday pressures to speak freely, connect, and relax.

That philosophy became our promise: a place to take a break and be yourself.

No matter who you are, our goal is to offer a welcoming sanctuary where you can step away from daily expectations, enjoy great tea, and connect with a community of people who share the things you love.

~In Beloved Memory of Scott Burkhart~