Last month, The Scoop reported that Mary Ann’s Tea Room was opening in the Central West End. Details were scant at that time, but owner Karen Halper has since shared additional plans for what’s in store at 4732 McPherson Ave.
Halper will be investing at least $700,000 to restore the building, which dates to 1903. Upon completion, the front area of the space will become Halper’s interior design and home décor business Enchanting Embellishments (formerly located at 12133 Manchester Road in Des Peres); the atrium in the back section of the building will be transformed into a 40-seat tea room.
“It will be tinted glass, almost like a garden in there,” said Halper of the tea room, citing such décor as marble statues and fountains and small touches like fine linen tablecloths that she hopes will give the space the atmosphere of a tea room in 1890s England. “I’ve been to all the tea rooms in this area. And we’re definitely going to have the ambiance and character. There isn’t going to be another tea room quite like us.” Halper continued, “We’ll be more high-end because we’re not a cafeteria setting; we’re more a place to sit as long as you like and enjoy the greenery – a destination for the atmosphere and food.”
Besides high tea, Halper plans to serve “a variety of British food” as well as “what Americans like,” she added, listing soups, salads and sandwiches as part of the latter camp. Pastries, she noted, will be prepared by a local bakery.
Mary Ann’s Tea Room will also have a retail side, with loose and bagged teas for sale, artisan foodstuffs, tea accessories and related gift items.
Halper noted that she is still working to secure the necessary permits for her new venture. Initially, she had hoped to open in May or June, but now she foresees a day in July as the earliest opening date.
This article appears in April 2013.