Becoming a Tea Room - Tea is Served!

The time has come for us to announce that tea is served in Fancy That's Tea Room!  We are thrilled (and a little jittery) that the day is here for us to say "tea is served"!  We have put more information about reservations and times here.  Call on or after May 10th for reservations beginning on Saturday May 25th, and then each Saturday and Sunday thereafter.  Tea is at 2PM on each Saturday and Sunday by reservation only.  If you are a party of one, or a party of 8 you can escape from the stress of the day, if only for a little while.  Sipping tea "far from the madding crowd" is as easy as calling for a reservation.  Shall we see you for Tea?  

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and now the "fine print": 

Consumer Advisory and Allergy Notice:

Consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, dairy or seafood may increase your risk of food-borne illness and pose a risk to your health.

At the time of your reservation, please advise us if any person in your party has a food allergy.

Becoming a Tea Room - sinks and plumbing



We are happy to announce that the Town Selectmen approved our request, and Fancy That is now a "Common Victualler" (i.e., we can now serve food :))!

Next, we tackle the required commercial plumbing!  We are going to need the following sinks:  (1) a three-bay sink for "ware washing" (to wash, rinse and sanitize); (2) a hand-wash sink, to wash our hands before plating food; and
(3) a utility sink for mops, et cetera.  If we were going to prepare food on site, we would also need a prep-sink, but because we are working with a local caterer who will prepare our tea sandwiches, we only need the three sinks I mentioned above.

PVC is not allowed in a commercial setting; copper pipes and cast iron drains must be used.  This means that having the required sinks installed is going to be a much larger expense than we anticipated, but we are hopeful we'll find a way to make it work.  We are still in the process of studying code, working with plumbers, and town officials, but we'll keep you posted on our progress! 

NOTE to those preparing to become a tea room:  when preparing your budget, be sure to plan on a large expense for commercial plumbing.  Talk to commercial plumbers for an estimate in advance so there are no costly surprises.  Also, before buying any equipment, check with your town's board of health to determine what they will require (3-bay sinks must be a certain size, for example)

More soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

Press Release - Fancy That Opens a Tea Room in Walpole

This is the press release that was sent out to local media sources today!!

 

 

For IMMEDIATE Release                                            February 3, 2013

Fancy That opens a Tea Room in Walpole, Massachusetts

The dry spell of “no local tea room” soon to end 

Walpole, Massachusetts.  Fancy That, selling tea and whatnot and offering vintage rentals of English china and glassware, is pleased to announce the opening of a Tea Room in Fancy That’s Shoppe in Walpole, Massachusetts.

 

Sarah Erlandson, proprietress of Fancy That points out that she started her vintage china rental company in 2003 before “vintage” became the popular theme for weddings and showers that it is today.  She opened her “tea” themed retail shoppe in 2011.  The Shoppe was born out of Erlandson’s passion for all things tea.  Her company, Fancy That, rents English bone china for weddings, bridal showers, tea parties, etcetera.    “Now celebrating our tenth year of renting vintage china, and two years as a tea themed retail shoppe, the natural progression was to open a Tea Room where you can enjoy a proper Afternoon Tea and a unique selection of teas including a locally blended tea called Courtship Tea which my husband and I served at our own “Afternoon Tea” wedding.  We are thrilled to be opening a Tea Room in Walpole to offer a place where you can escape the stress levels of the day.”    Erlandson notes that the licensure process is on track and they expect to be taking reservations by April 2013.

 

According to the Tea Association of America, the US Tea Industry has grown to over a $10 billion industry with only more growth in sight.  Given the stress levels of modern day living, the respite being offered in a cup of tea in a tranquil atmosphere may be just the relaxation you are hoping to find.  “Like stepping back to a different time, Fancy That’s Tea Room will offer old world charm and the respite you can find only in a cup of tea.  We plan to keep the Tea Room intimate – only seating for eight or ten guests,” Erlandson continues.

 

Fancy That’s Tea Room will be an elegant Victorian-inspired tea room.  Working with a local caterer, their expectation is to be serving tea by April 2013, only by reservation.  Contact Fancy That by ringing them up toll free 1-888-3232-TEA (1-888-323-2832).

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Proprietress, Sarah Erlandson.  For more information, contact Brad McCracken, General Manager, Fancy That, 272 Main Street, Walpole, MA 02081.   Phone: 1-888-323-2832  Fax 1-866-551-2194.

Join Fancy That at POSH Upscale Vintage Boutique Bridal Event 1.26.13

Photo from POSH Upscale Vintage Boutique's Facebook Bridal Event Page

We are always delighted to be a part of a local bridal show!  POSH Upscale Vintage Boutique invited Fancy That to be a part of the Bridal Event being hosted at POSH Upscale Vintage Boutique in Norwood, MA from 10am - 4pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013. You can get directions and address by clicking the link above or the link below.  Stop by and see our table, and browse the other wonderful vendors that that will on site.  Be sure to say "HI" when you stop by!  :)

Shall we see you at POSH's Bridal Event?