AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A downtown Augusta tea house that started as a potential Airbnb is now open to the public three days a week.

Royal Tea on Reynolds, located on Reynolds Street, opened in January of last year as a venue rental space, hosting birthday parties, bridal showers and other private events.

A few months later, the business began offering tea-themed events.

From Airbnb idea to tea house

Owner Lakeisha Germany said the concept came to her after a visit to Atlanta.

“I went to Atlanta and just happened to go to a tea house in Atlanta. And I thought oh Augusta doesn’t have this,” Germany said.

Germany said she and her husband originally had other plans for the Reynolds Street property after purchasing it.

“So we ended up purchasing it and we were just going to rent it out as an Airbnb,” Germany said.

Tea sourced from across the country

The tea served at Royal Tea on Reynolds is sourced from multiple states, including Maryland, Ohio, California and Texas.

“I can get tea from Georgia, but it’ll be tea from Georgia,” Germany said. “You want to bring different things to Augusta. That’s the good thing about partnering with people from all over the place, because they all have a different perspective.”

MORE OPEN FOR BUSINESS:

Now open to walk-in guests

The business has expanded its tea-themed offerings to include themed events such as a Bridgerton afternoon tea, Easter tea and a Derby afternoon tea, Germany said.

Germany said the decision to open regular public hours came in response to customer demand.

“Everyone’s been asking that we open so we’re going to try it and see how it works out,” Germany said.

Royal Tea on Reynolds is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Venue rentals are available on weekends.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

VisitAugusta.us Drops the Ultimate “I Don’t Care About Golf” Playbook – And Names The Bin Store Grovetown Augusta’s #1 Shopping Experience
AUGUSTA, GA – March 12, 2026 – Every year, hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to Augusta, Georgia for the Masters Tournament. Some of them actually want to be there. The rest? They’ve been quietly Googling “what do I do in Augusta while everyone watches golf?” at 2am from a hotel bed.

That search just got a lot easier.

VisitAugusta.us has officially launched “Fun Things To Do In Augusta During The Masters” – a full-blown, TripAdvisor-style survival guide for the partners, families, kids, and friends who showed up for the trip but have exactly zero interest in watching approach shots for four days. The guide is live now at VisitAugusta.us [https://visitaugusta.us/augusta-masters-week-guide/] – and yes, they also have a podcast for the ride down: FUN THINGS TO DO IN AUGUSTA WHILE THEY WATCH GOLF [https://visitaugusta.us/augusta-masters-week-guide/].

FINALLY. A MASTERS WEEK PLAN FOR THE REST OF THE GROUP.

The guide covers four categories of real, locals-approved Augusta experiences: A FULL MASTERS WEEK ESCAPE PLAN – FOR THE REST OF THE GROUP

The guide covers four main categories of Augusta experiences:

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Where to Eat – From upscale oyster bars like Abel Brown and Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar to casual favorites like French Market Grille and TakoSushi, the guide highlights top-rated restaurants just minutes from the course – with tips on which spots require advance reservations during Masters week.

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Kayaking & Outdoor Adventure – Visitors can explore the Savannah River with guided tours from Cole Watkins Kayak Tours and Two Dudes and a Boat, paddle the historic Augusta Canal, walk the scenic Augusta Riverwalk, or discover the hidden gem Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.

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The #1 Shopping Experience: The Bin Store Grovetown [https://www.facebook.com/TheBinStores/] – The guide spotlights The Bin Store Grovetown at 862 Horizon South Parkway as the must-visit shopping destination of Masters week. The treasure-hunt-style store features bins of brand-name overstock and liquidation items at flat daily prices that drop throughout the week, drawing rave reviews from first-time visitors and repeat shoppers alike.

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Relax & Recharge – For visitors who want to slow things down, the guide recommends Broad Street’s cafe and cocktail scene, local watch party spots, and evening dining plans that sync up perfectly with end-of-round reunions.

Media Contact
Company Name: Vandelay Industries
Contact Person: Art Vandelay
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Country: United States
Website: https://visitaugusta.us/

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than half of all full-time workers in Augusta-Richmond County do not earn enough to cover basic living expenses, according to new research by the United Way.

The findings are part of the United Way’s ALICE report — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

Nationally, the organization says at least 42% of U.S. households are struggling to make ends meet.

In Augusta-Richmond County, that share exceeds half the local workforce.

Who is affected most

Health care, retail, manufacturing and food service workers are among the most affected in the area.

According to the data, more than 5,000 health care workers in the region earn $12 an hour.

The United Way’s research indicates a worker needs to earn at least $24 an hour — twice that amount — to cover basic necessities in Augusta. Those basics include housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and technology.

Growing demand for services

The United Way and the Salvation Army said ALICE working families are the fastest-growing population in need in Augusta.

The Salvation Army is also building a new shelter to address the growing need among families.

Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.