I recently read an e-mail sent to ATAA [Afternoon Tea Across America] members that Sweet Shalom Tea Room in Sylvania, Ohio will be closing soon. They are putting the beautifully restored house on the market to sell. The farm house that is close to 150 years old was enlarged and remodeled to a Queen Anne style house in the late 1800's. The gazebo porch was added in 1920. The house was saved from demolition in 1999 and moved to its current site when the Kruse and Velasquez families purchased it and restored it to its original beauty.
Owners Chris Kruse and Sara Velasquez had a lengthy challenge with Sylvania City Officials before they were finally allowed to open. My first visit was in 2005 with girlfriend, Sandy. This post is a tribute to Sweet Shalom, and Chris & Sara where I'm sharing photos from all of my visits over the years.
[Chris and Sara]
The fireplace mantel was always decorated beautifully for their themed teas.
I had my first pinwheel scone there. I bought their cookbook in hopes the recipe would be included but it wasn't. I'm glad I have their cookbook anyway.
My next visit was in 2006 for a Jane Austen tea. Sandy went with me, and we met up with other ATAA members. Karen White, the moderator of ATAA at that time, was there.
[Karen on left and Gwen]
Chris presenting her Jane Austen program.
~ In 2007 was a Tasha Tudor Tea ~
[Mary Jane and me in the back row, Karen, Eve and Sandy in front row]
In 2008 they hosted Tea, the Jewel of India.
[L-R: Me, Cheryl, Sandy & Ann]
I returned in June 2012 for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration Tea with girlfriends, Sandy and Lori. While all of the teas were wonderful, this was my favorite.
Toasting the Queen!
[Lori, Sandy and Me]
Coronation Chicken Salad
January 2013 A Downton Abbey Style Tea with girlfriend, Sandy
Light flaky, melt-in-your mouth scones
~ Sweet Shalom Server ~
Sara - MC'ing a Downton Abbey game we played.
[Sandy and Me]
~ 2015 Downton Abbey Tea ~
The last tea I attended was an ATAA gathering in 2019. The theme was Birds, Bees and Butterfies. My girlfriend, Lori, went with me.
Teresa was there with one of her many tea-themed purses.
Co-owner Sara before the program began
[L-R: Eve, Mary Jane, Colleen, Teresa, Me, and Lori]
Teresa has coordinated a gathering for one last ATAA meet-up at the tea room before it closes. I made reservations for Sandy and I to attend. I'll definitely post photos.
Thank you Chris and Sara for all your years of dedicated service and the joy and 'peace' [shalom] you've brought to so many people. Sweet Shalom will be missed.
I was heartbroken to read of the closing. Sweet Shalom is my favorite tearoom and I will miss the themed teas so much. Their offerings are always so special and delicious. And they really are the sweetest ladies. My recent post is our last tea party on May 16. I included pictures in this post. http://missmerry-s.blogspot.com/2021/06/mothers-day-tea.html
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could be there for the final teatime.
What a lovely walk down memory lane. It is always sad news to hear of a tea room closing, but how fortunate you were to be able to attend so many special events at Sweet Shalom Tea Room!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a tea room like this one in my town and to attend lots of themed tea parties; you certainly had fun attending. I like how they had floral decorations on the fireplace mantel. Sad the tea room is closing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hate to see any tea room closing, although I understand that it sometimes has to happen. I'm glad you can visit Sweet Shalom one more time before it closes, and if it were closer, I'd go with you!
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