Picture: Lillie M. Kleven (Bemidji State University)The story behind it all
Written by Clarissa Luna
In the early 1950s, my great aunt Lillie M. Kleven worked for the U.S. Government to establish American libraries overseas. As a little girl, I found pictures of my aunt standing alongside other women artists and writers in Far East Asia from New Zealand to Japan. She would send me theirs and her art in the mail with inspiring letters. Oh and books - she would send me lots of books from around the world until her passing. Later, I learned that these were some of the first libraries in these areas where women could enter.
I always wanted to follow in her footsteps and start a library for women. I explored various ways to do this but it seemed too daunting. How does a woman in her twenties start an actual library? So, I decided to pursue the traditional college route and start a career.
My husband Daniel Luna and I were saving for a house when an opportunity presented itself with not-so-favorable circumstances. Our friend Heather Van Cleave had operated Queen Bee and Co. Tea Room in Downtown Richmond, but in late 2022, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She never wanted to see the tea room close but knew it could not stay open with her leading while facing chemotherapy.
Through a mutual friend Leah Coleman, Heather and I met and the rest was history. We took over as new owners of inventory of Queen Bee and Co. with a quick two-week turnaround. Our hearts were to honor Heather during this time of healing and to honor my great aunt’s legacy as the tea room began its next chapter as The Queen’s Library Tea Room. We were also proud to be a woman and Hispanic-owned business, now the only Hispanic-owned tea room in Virginia.
Our mission has always been the same — creating unique spaces for women to share their stories, take a moment to recharge, and be inspired.
We started with no true business plan and no clear path, and have been figuring it out as we go. Now we are ten months in with more business than we could imagine but with lots of growing pains. Heather is now breast cancer-free, we have celebrated so many stories in the most beautiful way, and are dreaming of our next chapter.
View more about Lillie M. Kleven Print Collection at Bemidji State University.
Daniel and Clarissa Luna,
Owners of The Queen’s Library Tea Room
Married in 2021, Daniel Luna and Clarissa Luna are writing their next chapter with The Queen’s Library Tea Room. Clarissa Luna has traveled to over fourteen countries from palaces to jungles working with entrepreneurs to tackle big challenges in our world. But something she experienced no matter the country — every person, dignitary, or even entrepreneur taking their first step invited her to the table for tea or coffee. Daniel Luna, born in Mexico, brings experience with all flavors and tastes from around the world. He sees an opportunity to welcome everyone to the table.
Daniel and Clarissa Luna are part of a growing company — Impact Junkie, children and students pastors with Life Church, and now proud owners of a tea room in Richmond, VA. Clarissa has hosted and managed events for high-net worth investors, entrepreneurs, and U.S. Embassies both in the United States and around the world in places like United Arab Emirates, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, and more. She also has extensive experience managing and hosting out of the box events and experiences on a small and large scale. Daniel brings a wealth of knowledge for all things food and beverages - his diverse experience and ability to never meet a stranger make for a perfect tea room owner. He also has extensive experience working in the restaurant industry, serving as a community leader, and being a mentor to youth. Honestly, there is nothing he cannot do.
Our heartbeat
Both of our stories are full of ups and downs, twists and turns, but it’s always been about serving people.
This journey is not alone — both of our families are proud owners and supporters of everything you see here. We are proud to be a family-run, family-loved business here in Richmond. Between both our families’ experiences — we could run hundreds of tea shops, operate an intensive care unit at the hospital, manage a daycare, install granite countertops, engineer a battleship, do every construction project imaginable, meet your occupational therapy needs, and share international food experiences. Oh, and our three puppies who do nothing else but look cute.
We honor Heather Marie, former owner of the tea room, Queen Bee and Company. Her story of loving others is what we hope to continue with every experience. Because of her leap of faith, we are all here still sharing stories she herself began. The name represents our past, present, and future as a tea room.
We see a cup of tea bringing cultures together, stories together, and creating a place where new chapters can begin. It’s our heartbeat — our cup of tea so to speak — and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Oh, and Clarissa also helped design and build an adult size ball pit. But that’s a story for another day.
