Jan NorrisVictorian decor combined with ‘granny chic’ in a 107-year-old cottage shutting down after 28 years.
Once Audrey Farrelly announced the upcoming closure of her Serenity Garden Tea House and Cafe in West Palm Beach, her phone blew up.
“It’s been a whirlwind. The phone’s been ringing nonstop,” she said, in her Irish lilt. “The community has been wonderful. They all want to come in one last time.”
Within two hours of her social media post, all of the bookings for tea at one of the lace-topped tables in the quaint 1919 cottage were taken — and there’s a waiting list.
The last tea service will be Aug. 23.
The Craftsman cottage, six blocks south of the Norton Museum on Valette Way off Dixie Highway, opened as a teahouse 28 years ago. Farrelly is its third owner.
Farrelly, of Dublin, Ireland, has leased the historic Craftsman cottage for 13 years. With rent and maintenance costs rising, she can no longer make it profitable, she said.
“The building’s over 100 years old,” she said. “It’s on the historic registry, so you can only do certain things. I’ve been doing the best I could with it, but it needs a lot of work.”
‘Granny chic’ and Victorian
Along with Farrelly’s warm hospitality and the food, the three-room cottage is mentioned often in every glowing review. With a front garden patio and a sun porch entry, the house is the perfect backdrop, Farrelly said, for the “granny chic,” Victorian-themed decor she inherited from the previous owners.
“When I bought it, everything came with it. Through the years, a lot of people have brought in things to add to it as gifts.”
The interior could be a set from a BBC-TV series set in Cornwall. It’s decked out floor-to-ceiling in pastel fabrics with flowery prints, vintage pieces such as dark wood sideboards joining modern reproductions. Plates and artwork fill the walls, and teapots and china pieces line the shelves. Lace accents are everywhere.
Some family members of customers who have passed away gave her items from their family’s collection of teacups, or silver or trinkets to add to the cottage.
“It’s so heartwarming and makes me all goose-pimply,” Farrelly said. “Really, my customers are friends and have become like family.”
Diners delighted in the mismatched bone china cups, silverware and sugar and creamer sets on their tables, along with a three-tiered tower of scones, dainty sandwiches and petite desserts.
The most popular teas
The cafe favorites, the Waldorf chicken salad, and the daily quiche, along with a cup of soup, fed hundreds of pinky-raising tea drinkers.
And those teas: The raspberry rose petal herbal concoction and the pineapple coconut black teas were most popular, Farrelly said.
“Tea is more popular than ever. A lot of people quit drinking (alcohol).”
But the all-time favorite?
“Scones. They’re the biggest seller. Full stop.”
The house-made orange and cranberry scones are buttery, sweet biscuits served with clotted cream and lemon curd jam.
Tea lovers booked months in advance for the tea room’s special “Royal Tea” service, as well as the children’s “Tot Tea” — with peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches, Goldfish crackers and cupcakes.
Though Farrelly served at lunchtime only, parties and catering took place after hours.
“We were always booked, especially in season for bridal and baby showers, birthday parties and events,” she said.
After-hours book, knitting clubs
The garden and back room with a comfy couch and other seating were available for larger groups. Several clubs met here after hours, including a monthly book club, and early on before COVID, the knitters’ hen party, called Stitch ‘n’ Bitch.
Melissa Lash, of Boynton Beach, said her club, the New York Ladies Living in South Florida Chit Chat Group, met up here once for a tea.
“It’s a shame,” she said, learning of the closing.
After visiting another tea room in Broward County, she said she preferred Serenity.
“I liked Audrey’s because of its quaintness. The things they had that were special. I liked the different teacups and teapots — it had an authentic feel to it.”
The host’s hospitality often extended beyond the luncheons.
Genie Alonso attended a book club that met there monthly on a Thursday after hours for eight years.
Only a few members came at first, but once Farrelly began posting about it and sharing the book title, more showed up. It was open to the public.
“We had about 25 at last Thursday’s meeting,” Alonso said.
“Everybody enjoys it,” she said. “Audrey is well-loved.”
Making sure everyone gets their tea
She said even during COVID, Farrelly found a workaround to get the members their tea to go with the book club meet-ups they held online.
“She had a drop-off delivery. She’d take people tea — yes, to their houses.”
She also offered pick-up orders at the tea house.
Alonso said she was as shocked as everyone at the closing.
“But Audrey needs a break. She’s been at this for 13 years with only a week off or so a year. We’re hoping she’ll reopen.”
A new tea house spot?
Another member of the club wrote a tribute online that others repeated.
The closing, said Joni Garman, “Is a big sting to our community.”
“Serenity Tea House is a place where we gathered. We chatted about books, sipped our tea with our besties, dressed up and wore hats to celebrate a new baby arriving, a birthday, a retirement, Mother’s Day and friendships.
“I have wonderful memories that I have shared with my family and friends,” Garman said.
She mentioned that Farrelly often staged pop-up events to raise money for women in need.
“She has always supported our community with a kind heart.”
As for plans for a new tea house, Farrelly said she’s hopeful.
On her page announcing the closing, she thanked the community that’s supported her throughout the journey, as well as her staff.
“I’d like to find another place and plan to reopen in some form or another. I’m not sure where. The community here is phenomenal. They want to help you succeed.”
Then she laughed. “Ideally, I’d like to find another spot like this one, preferably one with straight floors so my hip doesn’t hurt at the end of the day.”
