The month of February is Black History Month, a time when African American achievements and history are acknowledged across the country.
Focusing inward, in honor of the month and local community leaders, meet Marlena Jayatilake. She is the owner and founder of Love That Spice & Tea, 1893 Sheridan Road in Highland Park, a family-owned artisan spice and tea shop focused on holistic wellness and boutique experiences.
Jayatilake opened her business in downtown Highland Park about 13 years ago.
“I think I am the only Black-woman-owned business in Highland Park, and I couldn’t be prouder of my heritage and what I have built,” she said.
Love That Spice set up in Highland Park in 2012, originally as a warehouse for exotic teas and spices that Jayatilake would sell online. Within months, impressed by the community’s bent toward health-based boutique experiences, she transformed her business into a retail operation.
“We began with spices from across the world and few teas. The word spread quickly, and more people came for our wellness teas,” she said. “Our anti-inflammatory turmeric-ginger tea kept selling out, and that’s when I realized that my concept of personally grinding, blending and crafting health teas based on the principles of Ayurveda would resonate here.”
The place has evolved into a part cafe and part retail space where you can enjoy chocolate chia muffins or elderberry lemonade as you shop for tummy-soother herbal tea blends and other exotic teas and spices from countries as far away as Bulgaria to India.
While Highland Park now feels like home for Jayatilake, she grew up in a very different neighborhood.
“I grew up in Englewood on the South Side of Chicago. A rough neighborhood, where poverty and challenges were all around,” said said, adding “Although as a child I grew up with love and community, and that experience felt amazing. As an adult now, when I look back, I see the lack of opportunities and a land forgotten by industry.”
How did this girl from the South Side discover Highland Park?
“When I was around 18, I once drove my mom’s car around Sheridan Road, looking for Michael Jordan’s home. I did not find his home, but what I found was a world quite different from mine. Highland Park was quiet and peaceful — no papers strewn on the streets, no drive-by (shootings), and no people standing in corners. It felt calm and safe. That day, I knew I would return to Highland Park one day.”
On her experiences as a small business owner of color in Highland Park, she said, “It has been great. I was readily accepted and have never felt singled out.”
Interestingly, she shared that the reluctance to set up shop in Highland Park came from within her family.
“My mom and grandma begged me not to open a business here,” she said. “Nobody would buy from me there, they declared.”
A selection of offerings from Love That Spice and Tea, which opened in Highland Park in 2012.
But that’s not how things turned out.
Instead, Highland Park quickly embraced Jayatilake, quite literally.
“On the day of the store’s grand opening, we had many locals drop in to show support. My grandma cried when she saw strangers hugging me,” she remembered. “My grandma grew up in 1930s Alabama at the time of Black and white segregation. As a Black woman, my mom got the right to vote only a few years before I was born. Coming from those experiences, this was an overwhelming moment for them.”
Jayatilake said she has received “tremendous love” for Highland Park.
“Would I love to see more diversity here? Well, sure. But I have been taught to love people no matter their color or race,” she said. “It’s sad, but we all know racism is real and around us. While I have gotten tremendous love from the community, there have been a few odd instances where people have made me feel ‘different.’ But it is important to point out that these are isolated events, as all of HP has embraced me with love and kindness, and I return that sentiment every day.”
Love That Spice has managed to win many hearts, and not just in Highland Park.
The shop was recognized as the Best Tea House in Lake County in a Best of Lake County award program in 2025. It also earned Yelp’s Top Places to Drink award in 2022.
Jayatilake appreciates the support from peers in Highland Park’s business community.
“I am planning to be a Highland Park Chamber of Commerce member again soon, as initially when I was a member, I did not see the importance of networking and ideating together as colleagues,” she said. “You grow wiser with time. The HP Business Development team too has been exceptionally helpful.”
Jayatilake was introduced to the world of spices and ancient herb-based wellness after meeting her now husband, Rohan Jayatilake, a Sri Lankan.
“My store reflects both our cultures,” she said. “From vibrant colors on the walls to the world’s finest teas sourced from Sri Lanka and beyond, everything is chosen intrinsically, keeping healing in mind.
“You will never find trendy drinks or sugary pastries here. We only use organic agave, honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit here. … From our avocado balls to apple cinnamon sugar-free muffins, you are eating real, clean food here.”
The store sources all their sweet treats from a holistic nutritionist in Lake Forest.
Jayatilake said that over 80% of their loose teas are also handcrafted at the store using organic herbs, roots, and spices sourced from around the world.
Love That Spice also curates high-tea events.
“You will always find something unique at our high tea,” said Jayatilake. S”o, instead of the predictable scones or cucumber sandwiches, we would bring in a chicken curry sandwich as a nod to our family heritage.”
As for the future, Jayatilake plans to expand her business.
“I definitely want to open more stores across neighborhoods — everyone deserves clean, real ingredients, and we are happy to bring them everywhere,” she concluded.
The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.
Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.
Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.
