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!

Fancy That Goes for Common Victualler's License tonight!

What are you doing tonight at 7PM?  Why not stop over at the Town Hall, 135 School Street, Main Meeting Room?  Fancy That goes before the Board of Selectmen seeking our Common Victualler's License!  Show up and support us!  :)  We are on the Meeting Docket for first item of the night.  Stop over and say hi!  We'll be there!  :)

Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Show - We've been invited and will attend

Middletown, CT Sunday, February 24, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate in Middletown, CT is hosting their annual Wedding Show on Sunday, February 24, 2013. The Show will be open to the public from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The fee for guests will be $5.00 a person.

The Wedding Show has been designed to help brides plan their special day. There will be vendors representing different services, each of whom have worked at the Wadsworth Mansion and are familiar with designing unique weddings. There will be caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, rental companies, wedding cake bakers, as well as vendors who provide transportation and hotel accommodations in the area. A complete listing of participants can be found at http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/weddingshow.php. Please RSVP to events@wadsworthmansion.com or 860 347 1064.

Executive Director, Deborah Moore, stated that she is optimistic about the 2013 wedding season. For nearly half a decade she watched budgets shrink and last year she began to see brides splurging on embellishments for their weddings. "We began to see fabulous lighting packages being purchased by couples to enhance the ambiance, including fireworks. She is also encouraged by the number of couples looking at 2014 dates. "It won't be long before the Saturdays in the 2014 wedding season will be gone." 

"For planning unique and beautiful weddings the Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Show is the show to visit. The vendors represent the best in the industry and it is an enjoyable experience for brides," states Event Manager Anne Robida.

For more information call 860 347 1064.

Fancy That is thrilled to have been invited, and will attend this year at the Wedding Show at the Wadsworth Mansion.  Please stop by and say HI!  :)

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.

Now Serving Tea (well, almost!)

photo credit: www.etsy.com/shop/vintagebella 

Exciting 2013 update: Fancy That is pleased to announce that we expect to soon be taking reservations for Afternoon tea! If you are from the Norwood/Walpole, MA area, you already know it has been far too long since there has been a local tea room. The drought is almost over :) visit out site (www.AfternoonTea.com) to sign-up for our infrequent e-newsletter and be among the first to be alerted to our exciting new expansion!