Comic Book Wizard Mister Tea Books & Drinks

M.A. Dworkin 

In an age of wild-eyed business ideas, you have to take your tin cap off to a guy who comes to St. Croix by way of Idaho and decides to open up a shop in downtown Christiansted and sell Graphic Novels and hot and cold Teas, both of which have origins at every corner of the globe, let alone every corner of the universe.

Graphic Novels are different from Comic Books. Comic books are serialized stories, mostly short in length, and the stories they contain can continue over months and sometimes years. Graphic novels tend to be much longer than comic books and also usually have their story lines wrapped up in one or two books. Some popular titles include: Black Panther, Wings Of Fire, Locke & Key and My Favorite Thing Is Monsters. 

The teas, served hot or cold, or bought by the ounce, that are served daily at Mister Tea, carry no less strange monikers; Boxcar Bancha, Dragonwell, and Jasmine Dragon Pearls. So to say this fine establishment hinges on the borders of the mildly bizarre to the uninformed would be a fair statement. But in so saying, would be where the place finds its esoteric charm. 

The owner Jesse Smith is as down to earth and friendly as all get. He fits right into the friendly Crucian scene. He has a warm smile and a warm heart. He knows his product lines cold, whether it be Teas or Graphic Novels. He’s an Ace of a Tea Man, mixing them to perfection, and a freak about his graphic novels, knowing them like a well-versed librarian who points out where to find a book on a shelf.

There are dozens of Graphic Novels and dozens of Teas. On the day the St. Croix Times visited the shop, a Graphic Novelist in residence was in attendance. Crucian-born Devon ‘Guzbez’ Pelle, the son of the famous Tow Master Pelle, was presiding over his latest Graphic Novel, The Mortal Pulse, which he wrote, penciled and inked the drawings. 

All that can be said is that those who are into such a cool outer limits scene think the place is a total gas! Tea lovers come and go finding the selection and service excellent. Graphic novel enthusiasts find the place a slice of Graphic Novel heaven. 

Mister Tea Books & Drinks is located on Queen Cross Street, next to Hotheads.

Tues-Sat 11am - 6pm