Parting Gifts

This week, Cynthia and I gave our valued patrons the sad news; T-Party will be closing at the end of June. The 1890 farmhouse we rent is being torn down as part of a downtown revitalization in Darien. Although we've had five successful years here, we have been unable to find an affordable new location. All of the properties we've seen have rents that are triple what we currently pay! That just won't do, so we have no choice but to close our doors.

We'll miss so many of our wonderful customers. And as I've said so many times in the past; we really do have the BEST customers. Linda Rose and Mary, a couple of our favorite patrons, brought us gifts this week after they heard the news of our closing.

Linda Rose is a devoted T-Party patron who is so nice. She comes in for tea often and stops by for our freshly baked scones almost every Saturday. Her gifts to us were charming tea cup note cards.

Linda Rose also sent us a heartfelt email that stated, "You and Cynthia have given so many wonderful memories to so many people that have passed through your doors. This alone is an accomplishment that not many could take away with them. As I said before, you have your hearts in the right place."

Mary has been coming to T-Party for several years. A great fan of tea rooms, she seeks them out wherever she finds herself. When Mary came for tea yesterday with her daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, she brought Cynthia and I the loveliest gifts; cute cloth butterfly napkins and a pretty tray for Cynthia and a beautiful floral teapot with a butterfly on its lid for me.

The kindness of our customers never ceases to amaze me. Thank you Linda Rose and Mary!

At least we still have a couple of months left in which to enjoy the company of our wonderful patrons. I plan to cherish these remaining moments.

Susan

Comments

[Linda Rose]

Susan,

I am so touched and heartwarmed by your sharing my sentiments with all of your friends of T Party. I am sure they all feel the same way about both of you and we are all sad to see T Party and Antiques close! You are the best!

[Heather C]

NOOOOOOOOOO!

You can't close!

I had planned to come out that way just to sip some tea!

I am heartbroken that you haven't been able to find a suitable and affordable place to move, and even more heartbroken that they are going to be tearing down that beautiful farmhouse.

It is so sad to think that the beautiful and worthwhile things always get torn down in the name of progress. It seems we are so quick to move on, and we miss out on the wonderful things, like characteristic farmhouses, and a sip of tea.

I have learned so much from your blog, and I hope you keep trying to stay in touch with us crazy bloggers and readers by keeping your blog full of fun things for us to read and see. The world certainly wont be the same without you :(.

[Shelley]

SOOOOO,sorry...it's terrible news..there are just not enough of peaceful little places like T-party in the world...I pray some place special will come available soon for you to move in and keep T-party open..I could never visit in person,but I feel so bad for your local customers who will miss you terribly.

Blessings,Shelley

[dana]

Oh, how you will be missed! First, by the lucky customers who have the honor of being able to experience your tea room first hand and secondly, by the rest of us in blog land, who so enjoy the faithful posts about your business.

[Clarice]

How frustrating this must be for both of you. But I am sure there is just some new wonderful twist in the road. Clarice

[Lauren]

I have looked at your blog many times I have never been to a tea room but I love what ive seen in yours. Im sorry that you have to close your doors. Maybe you could do a fund raiser and move the shop? its a shame to see that beautiful building be torn down.

[Daisy Cottage]

Oh Susan, I am SO sorry to hear this - how I wish I could have visited your lovely tea room. I just know that you will create another beautiful haven and there will be more wonderful adventures to come.
((((hugs))))
Kim

[suzy]

Such sad news, I will miss reading about all the tea parties! xo, suzy

[Cece Marie]

I'm so frustrated and sad about this on your behalf! Well, when one door closes another one opens! I've so enjoyed reading about your T-Party journey and I look forward to seeing what adventures you will embark on next!

[Mother of the Munchkins]

I certainly hope the revitalization is not for an unnecessary Walmart. Seems to be the case far too often, with folks realizing too late and then sorely pining for the loss of unique businesses such as yours. I've been greatly inspired by your tea party business and sad to see its demise. I hope, really really hope you are surprised with a great new location and have quadruple the success!

[Cathy]

Hello Susan,
My tea shop closed June of '05. I thought I was re-locating, but that did not happen...yet. But, what I want to share is that I still hear from customers/friends after 3 years. Several have become very close friends and all hold special places in my heart. I think having a tea room is a blessing, oh and alot of work too! But, how I too cherish those years and those faces and those times over a cup of tea!
Blessings to you,
Cathy

[Gina E.]

Susan, that is such a shame. These faceless developers ought to be rounded up and shot. It is said that there is a reason for everything. I hope the reason for your cafe's closure will be because there is another project close to your heart that will be just as successful as T-Cozy.
Hugs,
Gina

[lucy]

Oh Susan, I am sorry to hear that you and Cynthia will have to close your doors. All the happiness and memories that came from your restaurant and store will surely be missed by all your lovely patrons. I hope that perhaps you two find an alternative location somewhere, perhaps it will happen when you least expect it.

Best of luck to you and your partner.

xoxo

lucy

[tammyCA]

Wow, I just saw this message...that is so sad. I always feel sick when something like this happens...I am so not into development. I can't believe they are gonna tear down the historical home and also that your tea house will be no longer. :(

[holly]

My Mom and I had a store for over 20 years which we closed last summer~so I feel your pain. It's unfortunate that this seems to be the wave of the future....All of the boutiques that brought a heart and soul to our communities have made way for big establishments and yet they sit empty, vacant...Waiting for the economy to turn around...FOR RENT signs turning into FOR SALE signs....Yes, it is always bittersweet transitioning from life before REB (robin's egg blue) and after.... Working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week has it's ups and downs but we loved the people and miss it terribly.
I opened up a little etsy shop as well and that has worked out PERFECTLY~ I can devote as many hours a day as I am able, still stay at home with my kids without the heartache, expense and worry of maintaining a retail store in this economy....and can keep my creative juices flowing....Thank goodness for ETSY!
Wishing you well....