Victorian Tea Parlor Closing Sale

When I read the list of weekend estate sales yesterday, Victorian Tea Parlor in Berkley, MI was among them.  The owner, Lillian Li, had two tearooms with the same name.  One was in Grosse Pointe Park on Charlevoix, and the other in Berkley on 12 Mile.  The Grosse Pointe Park location closed a few years back.  Lillian said after 20 years in the business she was ready to retire.

The sale was scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. so my hubby and I drove over early and arrived at 9:00 a.m.  Lillian opened the door and let us in upon arrival.  I discovered this was actually the third weekend of the sale, but there was still LOTS of merchandise left, and Lillian was still unpacking boxes and totes from a storage unit.  She said the sale will run for two more weekends after this weekend.  Everything is 50% off.

There's two rooms at the back of the shop that I didn't photograph, as well as a section at the front of the store.  

What did I purchase?  A commemorative Tuscan bone china teacup of Queen Elizabeth's 1953 Coronation.  Half price $17.50.

~ Front ~

~ Back ~

~ Backstamp ~

A Royal Albert Old English Rose teacup.  My mother had this teacup, and it was always displayed on her round marble-top coffee table. I think she liked it because her middle name was Rose. When my granddaughter, Tiffany, visited her before she passed, my mother gave it to her.  I was happy for Tiffany to get such a lovely keepsake, and told myself if I ever saw one like it at a reasonable price I would get it for myself.   $18 half price was 'reasonable'.

A Royal Albert Lady Carlyle teacup.  I have a luncheon plate to go with it.  Half price $13.

A Royal Albert Sweet Violets.  Half price $8.

A Royal Patrician Shamrock Luncheon Plate.  Half price $4.

And a Hankie paper doll.  Half price $4.50.

It was worth the drive to Berkley.  For local readers the address is:  2737 Twelve Mile Rd.  I think they'll be open until 4:00 today and Saturday and Sunday.  For confirmation call 248-542-5253.