The Vashon Tea Shop opened on Saturday under a new owner. Islander Elizabeth “Boo” Dinan-Slack purchased the shop on Friday, saving the business in the heart of town from possible closure.

Dinan-Slack said the small tea shop next to the Vashon Bookshop was full on Saturday.

“Everybody was so happy,” she said. “They’re happy the shop is going to stay open, and they’re happy I bought it.”

Dinan-Slack, an Islander of 40 years, said she has owned a painting business for years and was looking for a change when she learned the tea shop was for sale. The shop has been on the market since last summer, when former owner Beng-Imm Low, who grew the business considerably, decided she wanted to spend more time traveling with her husband.

Unable to find a buyer, Low announced earlier this year that her ownership of the shop would end March 31, whether it was purchased or not.

Dinan-Slack, who also volunteers for Drama Dock, said that although she has owned a business and worked in various restaurants in the past, she has much to learn about the tea shop. Thankfully, she said, Low has been helpful in showing her the ropes, as have the shop’s several employees. Dinan-Slack, who regularly bought bulk tea at the shop before, said she also plans to spend time studying tea.

She said she’s impressed with what Low, who owned the shop for two years, did with the place, and she doesn’t plan to make any big changes.

“We’ll tweak little things here and there,” she said, “but I like the atmosphere and feel of the place.”