Beloved Downtown Tinley Park Business Is For Sale, Owner Eager To See It Shine Still

TINLEY PARK, IL — The owner of a beloved and unique downtown Tinley Park business is ready to step back and let it shine with someone else.

Audrey Maher, owner of Pekoe and Bean tea room and coffee bar, is looking to sell the business—an announcement met with customers' disbelief on Wednesday.

"Nobody should be sad when a business sells," Maher said. "It's not sad. That’s always the goal.

"... My goal was always to hand it over—to make it what it is, for someone else."

Palos native and current Mokena resident Maher said she's been mulling the idea of selling for just over a year.

Since opening its doors in January 2020, Pekoe & Bean has become a cherished gathering place for locals and visitors alike—blending the charm of a walk-up coffee bar with the elegance of a full-service traditional tea room.

Just months after opening, we faced the challenges of March 2020 and the unprecedented year that followed. Through resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering support of our community, Pekoe not only survived—it thrived.

Now, with business booming more than ever, the time has come for a new chapter. We’re seeking the next passionate steward(s) to take the reins. Whether you're a tea aficionado, a coffee lover, or an entrepreneur with fresh ideas, everything is in place for a seamless transition. This is a truly turnkey opportunity—ready for you to walk in and begin your own journey.

Maher, who has been an independent artist for the last 23 years, has also served as the sole owner, operator, decorator—even chef—at the business at 17028 Oak Park Ave.

"I am so much more of a creative than the business mindset," Maher said. "My goal was always to do the more artistic side of things (at Pekoe)."

As the business has grown, so too has Maher's longing to get back to her artistic pursuits on a full-time basis.

"I think having Pekoe made me realize how much I miss the artistic end of things, solely," she said.

She's hopeful and mindful that whoever buys the business will keep it running as-is, and there's no timeline for the sale.

"I don’t feel like I’m in a hurry, or like I’m not," she said. "It’s been something I’ve been thinking about doing for a year or two.

"Ideally, they would keep it going. Why wouldn’t they? We created such a cool, unique thing in the area. Why change this completely when it’s functioning so well, as-is?"

A listing for the business discloses the asking price as $389,000.

"I love the community, I’ve loved being part of it," Maher said. "It would have been nice to have a partner in something like that. Maybe that would be a recommendation for someone in the future.

"I feel so honored, grateful, and happy to have been a part of the community in the way that we have for as long as we have, and I hope the next steward is even more a part—really, really cherishes that, like I did."

Anyone with inquiries is encouraged to email teatime@pekoebean.com.