- March 13, 2025
Stephanie Gonter and Angel Lowden have forged a friendship as they pursue their entrepreneurial visions together. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Artist and shop owner Angel Lowden sits in her studio, where she creates and teaches art. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stephanie Gonter and Angel Lowden have created a unique partnership by combining each of their passions — art and literature. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Angel Lowden’s art adorns the walls of The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden amid Stephanie Gonter’s Novel Tea Book Shop. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stephanie Gonter and Angel Lowden added a bakery this summer. All proceeds are donated to support their Teen Book Club. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stephanie Gonter serves fresh baked Oreo cookies. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
All proceeds from the bakery support their nonprofit charity, The Creative Chapter. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Angel Lowden prepares an iced lemonade in the bakery. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Author Chrissy Chicory signs her most recent novel during the Ormond Beach Art Walk event. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Novel Tea Book Shop hosts many events, including book signings with local authors. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
High school senior Ysa Boothman’s love of the shop led to a part-time job. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stephanie Gonter hosts several events monthly, including book clubs, silent reading clubs and gatherings for writers. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Locals attending The Writers’ Mix, a monthly club to support local writers. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Locals attending The Writers’ Mix, a monthly club to support local writers. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Stephanie Gonter discusses marketing for authors during the Writer’s Mix this summer. Photo by Suzanne McCarthy
Tucked into a 100-year-old building at 150 Tomoka Ave. is one of Ormond Beach’s small businesses — The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden and Novel Tea Book Shop.
The shop, which opened in 2022, is the vision of artist Angel Lowden, who partnered with Novel Tea’s owner Stephanie Gonter in 2023 to create a space filled with art, books, loose tea, homemade bakery treats, writing and art supplies, and a variety of gifts and treasures sold by local vendors.
Writers and readers come together at multiple monthly events to enjoy book clubs, art workshops, and writers’ discussions, among other events at the shop, which is inspired by Lowden's lifelong love of Alice in Wonderland.
“We are paying homage to the history of the building, built in the early 1900s, by serving the community as a general store for creatives," Lowden said.
