KENOSHA, Wis. — Two locally owned Kenosha businesses are joining forces this holiday season, bringing handcrafted artwork, unique gifts, and more than 125 varieties of tea together under one roof in downtown Kenosha. Southport Tea owner Russ Collier and local artist Aaron Hunzinger, owner of AHdidit, are preparing for a series of November events that include the grand opening of a new tea bar and a three-day Thanksgiving weekend shopping event featuring Hunzinger’s handcrafted creations.
Southport Tea, located at 5701 Sixth Ave. in downtown Kenosha, opened in April 2026 under Collier’s ownership. In just several months, the specialty boutique has expanded its offerings to include more than 125 varieties of loose-leaf teas and herbs, along with tea accessories, teaware, and gifts.
Now, Collier is taking the business a step further with the addition of a tea bar, allowing customers to enjoy freshly brewed tea while shopping or exploring downtown Kenosha. The new tea bar will officially celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, November 19, at 1 p.m.
Initially, the tea bar will serve freshly brewed tea Wednesday through Sunday, including the shop’s signature Kenosha Breakfast Blend black tea and seasonal Berry Hearth herbal tea. A rotating weekend menu will feature additional teas brewed to order, giving customers opportunities to experience new flavors and varieties.
The collaboration with Hunzinger will take place the following week, November 27 through November 29, during one of the busiest holiday shopping weekends of the year. Hunzinger, whose business operates under the name AHdidit, specializes in handcrafted artwork that combines industrial design with traditional craftsmanship.
His creations include custom lighting, unique furniture, metal artwork, handmade leather goods, and other one-of-a-kind pieces. His work has previously been featured at the Kenosha Art Market and Hawthorn Hollow’s Walk in the Woods Art Fair, where visitors have had opportunities to see his distinctive artistic style.
During the Thanksgiving weekend event, Hunzinger’s custom light fixtures will also illuminate the storefront windows at Southport Tea, adding to the downtown atmosphere during Kenosha’s Lightin’ Up festivities and the holiday shopping season.
“I’m excited to have Aaron and AHdidit at Southport Tea for Thanksgiving weekend,” Collier said. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase his creativity, support another local business, and welcome people into the shop. With our new tea bar opening Nov. 19, I’m looking forward to sharing something new with everyone who stops by.”
The partnership highlights two very different types of craftsmanship. While Collier focuses on specialty teas and the experience of preparing and enjoying them, Hunzinger creates functional artwork ranging from handmade leather bags and wallets to custom-designed lighting and furniture.
The businesses hope the collaboration will introduce their respective customers to something new while encouraging residents to shop locally during the holiday season. Visitors will be able to browse Hunzinger’s creations, explore Southport Tea’s extensive selection of products, and enjoy freshly brewed tea at the new tea bar.
To accommodate holiday shoppers, Southport Tea will extend its hours on Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, remaining open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. The store will also be open Sunday, November 29, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Saturday’s extended hours coincide with Small Business Saturday, an annual shopping event encouraging consumers to support independently owned businesses rather than exclusively patronizing large national retailers.
The new tea bar will also introduce another experience beginning December 5, when Southport Tea launches weekly tea tasting events. The gatherings will allow participants to sample different varieties of tea, learn about their characteristics, and discover new favorites.
Tickets for the tastings will be available both in the store and online, providing another opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the specialty boutique.
The November events also represent an effort to draw additional foot traffic into downtown Kenosha during the holiday season. By combining specialty retail, local artwork, and an expanded food-and-beverage experience, the businesses are offering shoppers an alternative to traditional holiday shopping destinations.
Southport Tea is located at 5701 Sixth Ave. in downtown Kenosha. Additional information about the tea bar, upcoming tasting events, and the Thanksgiving weekend collaboration is available at SouthportTea.com. Hunzinger’s artwork can be found by searching AHdidit on social media.
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