Tradition infuses new downtown teahouse

A new dessert and tea shop has joined the list of downtown Brandon businesses.

Red Cat Dessert & Teahouse, located in The Town Centre mall, is the creation of sisters and co-owners Katty and Esther PakBin.

Katty, who moved to Brandon nearly three years ago after leaving Syria — where she had lived as an Iranian refugee since 2009 — said the business is rooted in both necessity and passion.

“We always tried business back home,” she told the Sun. “My sister was an accomplished entrepreneurship researcher in Iran.”

Their journey to Canada was shaped by years of political hardship that forced the family to leave their home country.

After settling in Brandon, Katty began searching for work but struggled to find stable employment. A simple visit to a local café became the turning point.

“We went for tea and coffee, and I realized it was just a tea bag,” she said. “The table wasn’t clean, and the cake didn’t feel real to me. That’s when I told my sister — we can do this better.”

That moment sparked the idea behind Red Cat Dessert & Teahouse, which they started about a month ago.

The sisters leaned on their background in traditional tea preparation and baking, blending it with local tastes. They also completed food safety training and developed a business plan before launching the shop, spending months renovating and decorating the space themselves.

The name “Red Cat” carries a personal touch. Katty said her family used affectionate nicknames growing up; she was called “cat,” while her sister was “red apple.” Combined, the two became “Red Cat,” a name that now represents both their bond and their brand.

At the shop, the focus is on freshness and authenticity.

“Our desserts are made in small batches using real ingredients, including saffron — one of the world’s most expensive spices — as well as organic fruits when possible,” she said.

“We don’t want a full showcase of frozen cakes. We make a few items, but they are real. That’s important for us.”

The menu features a range of teas, including green tea, saffron blends and cardamom-infused options, alongside cakes, muffins and chocolates. Katty said customer preferences vary widely, with many Canadians drawn to sweeter desserts, while others gravitate toward spiced teas.

Although the business is still in its early days, she said the response from those who visit has been encouraging.

“Customers come back,” she said. “When they taste the tea and desserts, they are happy. That’s enough for me.”

However, challenges remain. Like many downtown businesses, she said, there are concerns about foot traffic and public perception of the area.

“Some people think downtown is not safe, so they don’t come,” Katty said. “But we are here, and we want people and life to return.”

For now, the sisters are running the shop on their own, taking “a cautious approach” as they build their customer base. Expansion plans — including delivery services or a larger space — will have to wait, she said.

Katty dreams of opening a larger facility where more women can work and learn the art of baking.

“Cake is art,” she said. “I want to create a place where others can create, too.”

Despite the long journey that brought them to Brandon, Katty remains focused on the future, “one cup of tea and one dessert at a time.”

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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