For the past month, I’ve had a consulting gig in Darien, Connecticut, right around the corner from what was once my sweet little tea room. As I pass the place where the business was located, I wax nostalgic for the days of serving tea to a roomful of happy patrons — as shown in this segment from the Food Network show Roker on the Road.
For five years from 2003 to 2008, I had the pleasure of providing a place for folks to put the pressures and stresses of modern life on hold, if only for an hour or so, by sharing a hot cup of tea and good conversation with a loved one or close friend.
Why for only five years, you might ask? Because our landlords wouldn’t renew our lease. They planned to tear down the 1890 farmhouse we rented to make way for a new development. Try as we might, we were not able to find a suitable and affordable new location. Sadly, we had no choice but to close our doors.
Today, you might expect to see a shiny new building where our tea room once stood. However, this is what is there...
That’s right, our landlords never tore the building down. I’m told that the change in the economy resulted in them losing their anchor tenant for the new project. And apparently, they have been unsuccessful in finding anyone to rent the space — for the past ten years!
Rather galling, don't you think? Ugh, I could really use a cup of tea...
Susan
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Oh please tell me if you know anything about the little turquoise teapot in your video? It's bear the beginning in the first minute at .53.
I have one that was my great-grandmothers. Mine is the same color & style with a slightly simpler pattern. No flower on the handle or lid. I'd love to know the maker.
Super sad about your tea room. I'm glad you've kept your blog though because I love it.
Posted by: Jenny Young | September 06, 2018 at 11:56 AM
Well, first of all, it makes me mad when towns let people tear down a lovely well-kept historic building to put up something "new." And, second of all, I can completely understand your chagrin at the building owner for counting his/her chickens before they hatched! Some people think it is better to keep a tenant who is trustworthy and responsible rather than cash in, but some just go for the fast buck. I don't know if the building owner was meeting all of his expenses, maybe not, perhaps that is why they wanted to sell. But, it sure didn't seem to work out to well. I see buildings sit here, deteriorating and empty, because the owner isn't able to get the rent he/she wants. I wonder how that works. I see buildings empty here for ten years and the owner won't lower the rent. Do you know what the economic reason for doing that is? I didn't go to that school. Ginene
Posted by: Ginene | September 06, 2018 at 07:06 PM
Jenny~ Thanks for your kind words regarding my blog! They are much appreciated. The teapot you are referring to (with the flower on the handle) was made by Shawnee Pottery.
Posted by: Susan | September 07, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Ginene~ Many thanks for your comment. I agree with all that you said!!
Posted by: Susan | September 07, 2018 at 11:20 AM
I live in Guilford Ct and have wonderful memories having tea with friends at The Tea Cozy. The food, ambiance and service always made for memorable afternoons just relaxing with cups of tea & a tasty lunch. Needless to say, we were very sad to hear of the closing -especially since all of our other favorite tearooms have closed as well, for one reason or another. Your tearoom was absolutely lovely and we always looked forward to our time together there.
P.S.- Several of my tea friends are gone, so this post was especially meaningful for me. Thank you
Posted by: liz | September 07, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Meant to say T Party not Tea cozy, although the tearoom was very cozy and welcoming.
Posted by: liz | September 07, 2018 at 11:31 AM
Liz~ So nice to hear from you! Many thanks for your kind words regarding my tea room. I’m so glad you and your friends were able to enjoy time there together.
Posted by: Susan | September 07, 2018 at 02:03 PM
I loved the video. Thanks for sharing it with your readers. I'm so sorry your tea room's existence was cut short.
Posted by: Cindy | September 08, 2018 at 09:19 PM
Cindy~ Thank you for your kind words. So glad you enjoyed the video!
Posted by: Susan | September 09, 2018 at 10:00 AM
They did not renew your lease because they were sure that they were going to make more money. It is funny how things work out. Keep blogging for everyone sake.
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Posted by: Ron | January 04, 2019 at 03:26 PM