In this article you'll discover what inspired Tina Jesson to open her first tea room.
The first spark of the idea
"The sun was shining with a few fluffy clouds in the sky
but it was a cool Sunday afternoon in England.
I remember walking into this light bright room, with the sound of the grand piano playing soothing swing music in the background, being escorted to our table and I even remember what I had to eat. Smoked Scottish salmon and scrambled eggs.
The year was 1988 and I even remember what I wore. My beige leather skirt suit and a cream button up silk blouse, with shoulder pads. Anyone remember shoulder pads?
The waitress had on a crisp white apron, a button up blouse with the letter ’B’ on a brooch which clasped at the neck. I remember she the most perfect manners.
Yes, this was my first experience at a tearoom, not just any tearoom, but the famous Betty’s tearoom in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
I remember thinking then, that I would love to own a tearoom like Betty’s.
By the time I was 50.
That would be an amazing business to own.
Somewhere were the service was as impeccable as the young ladies serving at Betty's, who all attended the local finishing school.
That was over 30 years ago! And I still remember all the details. The memory of that day lasted much longer than the relationship with my then boyfriend.
Over 30 years ago and I still recall the details of that extraordinary experience.
Who would think that I would actually be 48 when I opened my first tea room?
And who would have thought I would do that in the USA.
Pinch me now!"
Tina Jesson is the owner of Tina’s Traditional Tearoom in Carmel and Columbus and lives in Brownsburg Indiana & of Tina’s Traditional Tours, where she takes private small groups back to where it all started on a 7 day immersive tour of Britain, where you get to ‘live like a local’.
Tina’s Traditional Experiences & Tours
Carmel Tearoom: 317 565 9716
Columbus Tea Room: 812 657 3484
Corporate Hospitality & Tea Service Development: Team Building: Customer Appreciation www.TeaRoomSecrets.com