Other than the muffled music emanating from its small storefront after dark, there isn't much that makes Magdalena's Tea House stand out from the other shops and boutiques lining Michigan Avenue near Clemens Street in Lansing. But once you step inside, you realize the intimate performance space is worlds away from many other venues in the area. Lush, fringed carpets cover every inch of the floor. Tiny votive candles flicker from within jewel-toned jars on heavy wooden coffee tables. Tiffany lamps hang from the ceiling, illuminating walls painted rich shades of burgundy and gold. A tray offering honey, cream and sugar sits on a table next to a vase of orchids. A stick of incense burns in the corner. On Monday evening, proprietor Miko Fossum stood in the tea house underneath a chalkboard sign advertising organic coffee, herbal teas and small snacks. Leaning against a high counter, she sang while a friend strummed an acoustic guitar, pausing briefly to acknowledge guests as they walked through the door.

"I'm putting everything into this," said Fossum, 38, about opening and running Magdalena's Tea House, 2006 E. Michigan Ave.

Open since July, the cozy venue and community space was the result of Fossum's love for music and an inspiring trip to Europe many years ago. Even its name was sparked by her travels - Magdalena is the European version of Fossum's youngest daughter's name, Magdalen.

"I went to a lot of tea houses in Turkey that were warm and inviting. There were carpets on the floors and you took your shoes off," she said. "And since I became a musician, I've wanted to have a music venue. I decided to combine the two ideas."

As a smoke-free, all-ages performance space, Magdalena's Tea House is slowly growing in popularity among area residents and students. With an eclectic offering of regularly-scheduled events during the week and a diverse list of guest artists on weekends, more individuals are discovering the venue as a place to relax, take in performance art and meet other people.

"They're an absolutely fabulous edition to the neighborhood," said Carmen Paradise, whose beauty parlor, Paradise Salon, is next door to Magdalena's. "It's just a really great gathering space. You go in, you feel instantly comfortable. I love seeing shows there. The sound is incredible."

One aspect that sets Magdalena's apart from other venues in the area is that it does not sell alcohol. Fossum, not one to leave out those who can't resist having an alcoholic drink while catching a show, will charge a corking fee for any guest who wants to bring his or her own bottle of wine.

Fossum said that in the seven months since the venue opened, she has seen the number of patrons increase "exponentially." Because she doesn't advertise due to financial constraints, and hasn't even had a grand opening yet, she attributes the growth to word-of-mouth.

"I get new people in here all the time that say they heard about it from so-and-so," she said, noting that the venue's e-mail list has grown to more than 1,000 guests. "The support of people in this community has been tremendous. It seems that this place is filling a niche."

On any given night, dozens of patrons stream into Magdalena's Tea House, often carrying handfuls of original poetry or bulky black cases filled with various instruments. Once inside, guests shed their coats, plop down onto a couch or throw pillow and get ready to enjoy anything from an open drum circle, a foreign flick or a poetry reading to a show by one of their favorite musicians.

Many guests return on a weekly basis, adding to the venue's growing number of "regulars."

Dan Eakin, a Lansing Community College student, said he was recently told he is considered one of the regulars at Magdalena's Tea House. The 21-year-old musician frequents the venue's EastSide Musicians Jam on Monday nights.

"It's a good way to practice," he said of the weekly open jam session, when guests bring guitars, mandolins and even musical saws to noodle on with other musicians. "It allows me to not just hit the drum, but go in a direction."

At Monday's jam session, Eakin brought a few drums and sat back in a leather easy chair while holding down the beat to traditional folk songs and some Turkish tunes. He said he's been visiting the tea house regularly for about twelve weeks, and is eager to watch the venue change in the months ahead.

"Magdalena's is a laid-back but definitely (unique) upbeat place to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and spend time with other people or maybe just retreat by yourself," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind the things this place? can do. It's unlimited."

One of the changes Fossum plans on making is expanding and updating the kitchen as well as the venue's hours. By June, Fossum hopes to offer soups and salads in addition to the coffee and tea she now serves. She is also looking forward to having Magdalena's Tea House open all day starting at 6:30 a.m. so customers can come to relax and study at any time. For now, the venue is only open in the evening.

Fossum said she has never doubted whether Magdalena's Tea House would succeed.

"If I was nervous, I wouldn't have done it. I'm a risk-taker," she said. "I had this really strong feeling that the community would come out to support this kind of venue."

Many area musicians have also discovered the new venue and are attracted to the room's acoustics, as well as its smoke-free, alcohol-free standards.

Jen Sygit, a singer/songwriter who runs a weekly open mic night at Dagwood's Tavern & Grill, 2803 E. Kalamazoo St., has performed at Magdalena's three times. She said the venue appeals to artists who don't want people talking through their shows or showing up just to get inebriated.

"There aren't very many listening venues in Lansing," she said. "It's a nicer venue to play at. People are there for the music, they're not there to drink."

For some, Magdalena's Tea House provides an alternative to other venues and a welcome break from everyday life.

"You just sit on the floor and relax and have some tea," Paradise said. "You walk in there and you feel like you're somewhere else completely."

Emily Bingham is The State News music reporter. Reach her at binghame@msu.edu