Dear Beloved Friends, Customers &
Heartsong Chai Family,
After two decades of crafting magic by hand—one lovingly brewed batch at a time—we’re writing to share that Uber Herbal, in its current form, is closing.
This decision didn’t come lightly, and honestly, it’s been a wild ride. From a tiny garage kitchen in Jacksonville to the Chai Hut in Ashland, to bustling festival booths, pop-up tea shops, renovated horse trailers, and downtown Grants Pass brick & mortar dreams… we've danced through it all: economic crashes, solo motherhood, farmer’s markets, wildfires and global pandemics.
But as life often reminds us, nothing is constant except change. And Uber Herbal & I are in a time of release, transformation, and trust. The winds have shifted. And while it's bittersweet to let go, we are choosing to surrender with open hearts to what’s next on the horizon.
This is a huge shift for both me (Elizabeth) and for Be, my steadfast, soulful daughter who’s grown up steeped in this journey. We're giving ourselves permission to rest, reflect, and reimagine. Because at the end of the day, our health—physical, spiritual, emotional—is the foundation for all the magic we share.
To all of you: our friends, our family, the local restaurants and coffee shops, the farmers markets, the music festivals, the loyal customers, the chai heads, the herbal nerds, the Kickstarter champions, the pop-up visitors, and every soul who ever sipped a cup of Heartsong Chai or swore allegiance to the Habanero Honey Brew (iykyk)—thank you. From the deepest wellspring of my heart: thank you. You made this dream real. You kept it going. You believed.
Uber Herbal has never been just a business—it’s been a spell, a song, a garden, a community. And though this chapter is closing, the story is far from over.
Follow us as the journey continues—we’ll still be sharing updates and little sparks of plant magic on Instagram and Facebook (@uberherbal). Until we meet again—stay wild, stay grounded, drink good tea, and be well.
With gratitude & so much love,
Elizabeth & Be
🌿✨💛
Hi! I'm Elizabeth Bretko, I'm a kitchen witch & flower farmer.
In 2014, with the help of over 300 people via Kickstarter, I opened a manufacturing space & tea shop in Grants Pass, Oregon.
But it all started in 2000 at ashland's Bloomsbury Coffeehouse with the magical Heartsong Chai. This cardamom rich, spicy, masala chai turned my life's path from social worker to chai business entrepreneur.
In the early days, I brewed chai at the legendary Evo's Cafe at night once they closed. Then by day, I delivered to cafes & restaurants by bicycle! This lead us to create our bicycle grinder, that we still use today to crush our chai spices.
In 2002 I turned the garage of my home into a commercial kitchen, then grew distribution up the I-5, Eugene & Portland. This was also the year we introduced the Habanero Honey Brew. #habanerohoneybrewforever #ifyouknowyouknow
In 2007, together with a team of ambitious players, we expanded production capacity, transforming Ashland's former Pizza Hut into a Chai Hut! a 200 gallon capacity tea brewery, tasting room & cafe.
In that time, Heartsong Chai atteneded the Oregon Country Fair, Burning Man, PickAthon & High Sierra Music Festival. We served so much chai to so many people & I'm forever grateful for those epic life experiences!
Sadly, the US economy tanked in 2008, just as the chai hut was up & running! we expanded our distribution into Seattle & with rising fuel costs, It was just too much, too fast. we closed the Chai Hut closed.
For three years I worked odd jobs, launched myself into motherhood & learned how to grow marigolds. And in 2013 I did a Kickstarter project that launched this business & built a kitchen/brick & mortar shop downtown Grants Pass. (thanks to all our contributors! woot! woot!)
The global pandemic brought so many changes for all of us! I stopped keeping regular hours at the shop but continue to be open by appointment. It's still our production space so if the lights are on, come in! Meanwhile, I Pivoted focus to farmers markets, events & online sales.
In July 2020 I bought a 1973 Miley horse trailer & along with dear friends, renovated it into a pop up shop. It's the cutest! Thanks for reading all this & Follow along on instagram or facebook: (@uberherbal) as this herbal journey continues! Be well.
