When Holly Cassidy opened Tilly’s Tea in Oxford just two months ago, she wasn’t just starting a business—she was creating a space for connection, nourishment and quiet inspiration.

Cassidy, originally from Rolling Fork, already runs an insurance agency and shares five children with her husband, Jim, a residential contractor. But as their family grew, so did the need for an additional income stream.

That need, combined with a personal connection to the power of a simple tea shop, led her to open Tilly’s Tea.

Every day after school in Rolling Fork, Cassidy’s daughters would stop at a tea shop near her office. They loved the drinks, but what stood out were the small handwritten Bible verses on their cups.

“I don’t want to push Jesus on anyone,” Cassidy said. “I just fill the cup, and if they see it, they see it. If they don’t, they don’t. I’ve gotten a lot of text messages from customers who appreciated the verses or would say ‘I really needed that today.’”

Beyond the messages, Tilly’s Tea serves drinks packed with vitamins, proteins and minerals. With about 30 different teas and a growing menu, Cassidy emphasizes that these are more than just flavored beverages.

“You’re getting nutrition—B vitamins, collagen, everything your body needs,” she said.

But Tilly’s Tea isn’t just about health; it’s also about legacy. The shop is named after Tilly, a dog belonging to Gray, the Cassidys’ 19-year-old son who died in a car crash in 2023.

To honor him, the shop features “Gray’s Ripple,” a specialty drink inspired by the popular Dole Whip. Every purchase of Gray’s Ripple contributes to the Continue the Ripple Foundation, a scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors.

Gray, known for his humor and boundless energy, left a lasting impact on those who knew him. His loss sent ripples through the community—ripples that Cassidy hopes to turn into something positive.

“We just thought, well, that’s a good way to honor him—to continue his ripple effect,” Cassidy said.

Cassidy wants Tilly’s to be a place where people feel welcome, whether they buy something or not.

“I want them to know they can come here and sit. It’s a place to come and breathe,” she said.

Tilly’s Tea is located at 900 Sisk Avenue, Suite E. For more information, call 662-550-4360 or follow them on Instagram and TikTok.