Specialty Coffee Retailer is a publication for owners, managers and employees of retail outlets that sell specialty coffee. Its scope includes best sales practices, supplies, business trends and anything else to assist the small coffee retailer.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/92590
REGIONAL UPDATE Tearooms brew up variety BY ED AVIS Photo of English Rose Tea Room by Denise Sarjant coff ee sales total $40 billion. But tea is no slouch, and it's gaining. Estimated sales for tea in the United States in 2012 are $15 billion. And, naturally, many coff ee shops sell tea, too. So this month's regional roundup is about tea shops. Tea A merica is decidedly coff ee territory. Th e powerful, rich brew dominates our cups all day long—estimated 2012 Here is a look at fi ve tearooms around the country: " SOUTHEAST English Rose Tea Room Chatt anooga, Tenn. downtown Chattanooga is a classic British teahouse. Th e tearoom is located on the ground fl oor of the former Grand Hotel, a landmark brick building constructed in the late 1800s. Tile fl oors, high ceilings, big windows and large columns make the look authentic, and the white tablecloths and china tea cups and saucers seal the deal. "I love tea. I have been primarily a tea drinker for 30 As the name suggests, the English Rose Tea Room in Th at dream came true about a year ago, when the English " Rose Tea Room, which is about 15 years old, came on the market. Gilley acquired the business, and except for some updates to the menu, has kept it largely as it was. Th e tearoom serves classic English teas, such as English shops vary: Some resemble a British tearoom, complete with dark wood paneling and clotted cream; others are frou-frou girly places perfect for showers; while others are hipster joints fi lled with the "in crowd. Breakfast, Darjeeling and Earl Grey, and also some non- traditional brews. "We have a wide variety of traditional teas, estate teas, and some herbals," Gilley says. Th e food is also traditionally British. Lunch delights include cottage pie, which is a beef pie covered with mashed potatoes; Dover sole, and bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes). However, the most popular meal is the traditional For example, last spring the tearoom celebrated Queen Elizabeth's birthday with a diamond jubilee party, complete with a queen lookalike contest. While many tearooms appeal mostly to women, the rich aſt ernoon tea, which includes a three-tiered platter featuring scones, fi nger sandwiches and light desserts. Th e English Rose Tea Room sponsors some special events. menu at the English Rose Tea Room also attracts men. "We're a traditional tearoom, but it's inviting to both women and men," Gilley says. Tea, of course, is the top seller in the beverage category, years," says Sharon Gilley, the establishment's owner. "I had some British friends who taught me how to drink a proper cup of tea, and I love the tea culture. It was always a dream of mine to own a tearoom some day. but French press coff ee is on the menu too. "We try not to discriminate against coff ee drinkers," Gilley says. "My husband is a devoted coff ee drinker, so I understand. Th e establishment makes a few extra dollars from a giſt " shop that sells tea accessories and various British products. Altogether business has been pretty good, Gilley says. "We have had good, steady business." 31