by Heidi Kyser

T Salon, a cafe and retail store based in New York City, has opened a second location in Los Angeles.

Founded by Miriam Novalle in 1992, T Salon opened its New York shop in Chelsea Market three years ago. The L.A. shop is in the similarly fashionable neighborhood of West Hollywood on Melrose Avenue.

The two locations share other characteristics besides trendy addresses. Both encompass a cafe and retail store offering the company's 250-plus teas from around the world, and both were designed by Lola Bodansky, an award-winning firm that focuses on environmentally sustainable interior design. Targeting an audience that travels a lot, is bi-coastal and strives for a green and sustainable lifestyle, both T Salons have furnishings and fixtures made of eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and recycled tea bags.

"It's a very warm, inviting, Zen feel," said Julie Novalle, Miriam's daughter, who manages the company's West Coast operations. "We have glass on all sides now, sun coming in on all directions during the day."

Abundant sunshine isn't the Los Angeles location's only distinguishing feature. Novalle said the menu has been tailored to a more health-conscious consumer.

"We started a daily cleans with our juices, which have our tea in them," she said. "People can pay $25 and get five different juices for their cleanse." She added that wellness teas, functional herbal blends, are very popular with the L.A. crowd.

Novalle said business has been good since the soft oepning in October. The company took a wait-and-see attitude through the holidays, time to get to know its new customers, and will do an official opening party in the near future, she added.