I stumbled into C the Difference after my curiosity got the better of me. I'd seen the sign hanging in front of the well-tended home off Grand Street for ages, but never knew what it was. Then I met Cindy, the proprietress. The shop really is all Cindy. As a trained herbologist I don't think there's a plant out there she hasn't met or can't tell you how to use. Her show room is full of pretty home goods and decorator items that make excellent gifts, but the real deal is her handmade creams and blended teas.
The Good: Everything smells so wonderful. And if you sit around long enough, she'll feed you non-stop. Cindy is a 'here, try this' kind of woman. While sampling teas, she kept handing me more and more cups to try. It was an embarrassment of riches that kept me heartily entertained in the true Southern Hospitality tradition. When I mentioned I was interested in a particular herb, she promised to add it to her garden that season. Also, meeting her parents was lovely. Who goes into a shop and meets the whole family? That's such a fabulous Southern thing.
The Bad: Parking is kinda odd. And if you don't know the shop is there, you'll keep driving by it. It literally looks like a house on the street. It would be helpful if she had a website, too. I would have liked to have been able to buy larger quantities of the tea blends I bought, but she was out. Everything is made in small batches.
I picked up several teas which I loved. read more