So you want to own a tearoom?
Typically, when we describe a tearoom, we’re giving you an inside peek at one of our listed afternoon tea venues. Today’s tearoom write-up is of a different nature: it’s for those of you who have dreamed of running your own tearoom. Because this tearoom business is for sale!
The Setting
Located in a picturesque village one hour away from Washington, DC, minutes off a major interstate, this business sits among rolling hills in a pastoral landscape. Its town is in the heart of Northern Virginia’s horse country and wine country.
The Business: Tea Room with Gift Shop
Originally the shop opened in 2007, as an antiques store. Over the years, the antiques store morphed into a gift shop, which today carries fine vintage china and silver, jewelry, artwork, gifts, and a wide array of tea-ware and accessories.
As an amenity for customers, the tea room was added, modeled after the informal, family-run tea shops found through the countryside in England. It is warm and welcoming, unfussy and uncluttered. Table settings are eclectic and feature vintage china and fresh flowers in milk-glass vases. There is a daily a-la-carte menu, a catering menu for groups, and special event theme menus offered throughout the year.
Merchandise for sale is arrayed around the perimeter of the tea room on tall bookcases, one of which is devoted to teas, including the 24 custom-blended house teas available for sale.
A Loyal Customer Base
This business has a loyal following of many regular and repeat customers, and also attracts new visitors every week. Highly positive reviews, frequent press and PR activities, good search engine optimization, great word-of-mouth, and paid advertising have kept this tearoom at the forefront of the local and regional market. When asked, new customers usually say,
I Googled tea rooms. You came up on top and had excellent reviews,” or “My friend (sister, aunt, etc.) came here and really loved it.”
The customers are predominantly but not exclusively female, from children to their grandparents and every age in between. Group bookings include bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, neighborhood and church groups, women’s groups, book clubs, and office gatherings.
The Opportunity
After 12 years in business, the owner wishes to retire, but hopes the tea room will continue in some form under new ownership. The owner will provide a handbook with detailed operations guide, menus, recipes, and suppliers; and is also willing to provide training or transitional support, if desired.
Prospective buyer(s) have several options to consider, including:
Purchasing solely the tearoom business, or the tearoom with gift shop;
Retaining the current business name and identity, or establishing a new identity;
Remaining in the current location with a supportive landlord and favorable lease;
Relocating to a new location of the buyer’s choice.
Interested? Questions?
For more info or to request a detailed offer packet, please email: TeaRoomSale@gmail.com.
[Note: This is a sponsored blog post.]
