There’s always room for tea

Lurking inside almost every woman, whether dressed in sensible heels and a power suit, or tennis shoes and a tracksuit, is a little girl longing who once hosted elaborate tea parties for her stuffed animals.

Fortunately, several tea rooms in the area provide the perfect outlet for grown-up girls. One example is the feminine fantasyland known as Mignon’s Cottage in Post Falls. Owner Mignon Whitt said, “It’s every girl’s dream to come in here.”

Whitt converted a 1900’s era home into a tea parlor and gift shop, and she opened for business two years ago.

A long table in the main room is set with gleaming silver and delicate china, waiting for a party of guests. A smaller room is also available for more intimate teas.

Sparkling chandeliers grace every room – even the powder room. Whitt furnished the business with ‘30’s era French antiques. Velvet covered settees nestle among counters brimming with jewelry, candles and exquisite floral-patterned quilts.

According to Whitt, tea parties are her biggest business, and they often serve as a catalyst for other sales.

“We wear vintage aprons when we serve the teas, and we end up selling them right off of us,” she said.

She has petit fours and éclairs flown in from Paris. Seattle’s Market Spice Tea has proven to be a favorite with her clientele.

And what’s a tea party without a festive hat?

“We probably have about 100 vintage hats and feather boas to choose from,” said Whitt. Guests are encouraged to borrow the finery to wear throughout the Tea. Those with dreams of royalty may choose a twinkling tiara instead.

Another oasis of femininity can be found in the Spokane Valley. Mad Hatties Tea Room is tucked away just off busy Sullivan Road. The mother/daughter team of Deborah Simpson and Pat Croff recently remodeled their store, adding a commercial kitchen and a Tea Room. Their motto is “A Fun Shop for Fun Women.”

“Our loyal customer base pleaded with us, saying, ‘We really need a Tea Room in the Valley,’ ” Simpson recalled.

Teas include all the traditional fixings like crumpets and scones with Devonshire cream. All the food is prepared on the premises.

Hundreds of unique fine china teacups and pots fill the shop, which features a huge selection of Royal Albert china. The boutique also stocks vintage jewelry and hats, and specializes in the works of local female artisans.

“We sell Chocolate Myracles, made by Julia Myracle, a local chocolatier,” Simpson said. “And we have the largest stock of quality loose leaf tea in the area.”

The teas are beautifully displayed in glass jars set in burnished wood shelving. Each tea has a small sample jar that customers can open to sniff the varied fragrances.

It has been her mother’s dream to have a Tea Room, and Simpson said she’s enjoying the chance to work with her mom in this venture.

And what about those say they never drink tea?

“If they say they don’t like tea,” Simpson said, “I tell them they just haven’t had the right one yet.”