 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| ||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Victorian Tea Garden a Family Affair
by Andrea L. Zrimsek
Joan Susi has always loved tea. Whether it's Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Green or Oolong. And she has also been a lifelong devotee of Victorian literature, clothing and poetry. So when she was looking to open her own business, it only made sense to open the Victorian Tea Garden.
"I wanted to create an ambiance of the Victorian Era through teas and food," Susi says.
Located along S. 12th Street on Pittsburgh's South Side, the Victorian Tea Garden is both a tea house and a one-of-a-kind gift shop that has something for everyone, even those who don't drink tea.
Susi opened the tea garden in early December with her two daughters, Kristy Woods and Robin Moline, and the support of her husband Gene. She made the move from corporate cog to self employment after an 18-year career selling health insurance was no longer fulfilling.
She knew right away she wanted to open a tea house but didn’t know where to begin. She started visiting tea rooms all over the country and on each visit would talk with shop owners and eventually tell them her plan. To which she says they all replied the same exasperated question “A tea garden in Pittsburgh?”
But Susi did not let their apprehensions stop her. She continued researching tea houses and possible locations to set up shop. She attended a tea conference in Colorado where master tea blender John Harney was giving tea seminars. While there, she also learned about necessities such as tea etiquette and china.
"I left the conference and knew this was what I was going to do,” says the Swisshelm Park resident.
At that point her husband gave her the go ahead and her daughters expressed interest in being part of it. The trio looked in various parts of Pittsburgh for the prime location and once they saw the South Side shop they knew it was perfect.
A few steps off of Carson Street, the front parlor of the Victorian Tea Garden is brimming with vintage gift items and unique treasures not to be found anywhere else, Susi says. Handmade jewelry, perfume bottles, linens, scarves, purses, hat boxes, picture frames and candles are displayed in a way that is reminiscent of a Victorian lady's dressing room.
Pint-sized purses, jewelry, accessories, hats and teddy bears dressed in their Sunday best fill the area of the gift shop designed to appeal to the princess in every little girl. But don't look for any do not touch signs on these fun items. Susi says she wants the shop to be welcoming to both adults and children, and thus encourages everyone to touch items they are interested in.
A stone fireplace separates the gift shop from the relaxing and delicate tea house that seats 20. Thirsty customers can sit down and enjoy a cup of tea or make a reservation for tea service.
Two services are available. First is the cream tea in which guests get a pot of tea and a scone with choice of toppings for $8.95 per person. Second is afternoon tea, which many people refer to as high tea. Afternoon tea includes tea, a scone, cream, finger sandwiches and a pastry for $14.95 per person.
Susi and her daughters make all of the sandwiches fresh and the scones and pastries are all homemade by a local baker. Menu items will change seasonally and guests may order off the menu as long as they specify in advance.
And don't worry, enjoying a spot of tea is not just for proper ladies in lace gloves and pill box hats. Part of Susi's mission is to bring tea to people of all ages. She is doing this by holding a variety of themed tea parties including mom and me, dad and me, hat teas, couple teas and princess teas in which the littlest tea drinkers can sift through a trunk full of dress up clothes, jewelry, tiaras, high heels and boas to find the perfect outfit to wear while having tea. She is also hoping to attract book clubs, knitting circles, bridal showers, company lunches and more.
"There are so many possibilities of what we can do here," she says. "I just want to have fun with it."
Reservations are suggested for tea, but if someone wants to walk in and sit down for a cup, they are welcome. Also, if a group wants to have tea at a time when the shop is not scheduled to be open, Susi will happily come in and open it. She says part of the fun of having her own business is that she can break the rules anytime she wants. In fact, she'll break them anytime a customer asks.
For more information, call (412) 431-1917.
