Bittersweet

KrisTea's is a quaint gift and tea shop that I've blogged about six times over the past two years. It's right up the street from O'Mara's restaurant where I've gone to Afternoon Tea every month since March 2013, and I'd often stop at KrisTea's afterwards using the discount coupon she gave to O'Mara's tea patrons.

In October I learned Kris was retiring and moving to Colorado, but I was told the shop would still remain open.  When I read about their closing sale on Facebook last week, I knew I had to pay the shop a visit.  The official sale began last Sunday [Jan. 4], but since that date wouldn't work for me I decided to go to the shop last Friday instead.  The note on the front door said they were officially closed for business, but lights were on inside and the door was unlocked so I walked in. 

Two ladies were busily getting things ready for the sale, but they said they never refuse a customer, and granted me permission to look around and select purchases.

What a bittersweet experience!  I wish Kris much happiness in this new chapter of her life, but I will miss visiting her lovely shop. I don't typically go on a shopping spree, but regular merchandise was 50% off and Christmas items were 75% off.  Knowing this was my last opportunity to shop there, I found several items I couldn't pass up. I'm sharing my purchases/bargains in today's post.

I love the gold ornament stand pictured below.  It will be perfect for displaying my teapot ornaments next Christmas.  It holds 12 ornaments.  The sale price was $12.50 and the Christmas teapot [which opens as a trinket box] was $2.50.

The Cup of Christmas Tea ornaments were also $2.50 each.

When I visited the Biltmore Mansion in 2012, I purchased a reproduction trio of Vanderbilt china.

KrisTea's had the matching teapot for $28 [originally $56], so that definitely had to come home with me.  I may have to buy myself an early birthday present on E-bay - the creamer and sugar to match.  ;-)  The set would look beautiful sitting on the wall units my hubby is building for the living room.

There were several beautiful teacups for sale, but I limited myself to one Rosina chintz teacup for $9.25.

I have a collection of porcelain ramekins so I couldn't leave this one behind.  It's made in France and was $7.

The silver plate three tier server will be perfect for Afternoon Tea and was $18.

I've saved the best for last - a vintage J.L. Hudson's hatbox.  At first I thought it was from the 1940's but due to it's size I think it's older.  It's 16 1/4 inches wide and 9 1/2 inches deep.  Is that to accommodate the big hats of the 1920's??  It was $20 and in perfect condition.  I found it tucked in a corner in Kris' linen room hidden from view by hanging tablecloths. It'll be great for my Hudson's presentations.

~ Logo on the lid ~

For hat programs, I bought six unique hat stands ranging in price from $15 to $22.50. Then I called a halt to my shopping expedition, but trust me many more items remained that I would have loved to have brought home.  

KrisTea's will definitely be missed, but I wish Kris the best as she makes her new home in Colorado.

Shopping at KrisTea's

KrisTea's is a cute tea and gift shoppe down the street from O'Mara's Restaurant in Berkley, MI. Afternoon Tea attendees are given a 25% discount coupon for KrisTea's, so many times when we leave O'Mara's we head straight to KrisTea's.  I seldom leave empty-handed.

I made two purchases on Tuesday.  The first thing that caught my attention was a teapot rhinestone brooch.  It came in three different styles, and the saleslady said they've been big sellers.  The price tag was $21.50 but with 25% off it was $16.13 plus tax.

Just before we were leaving the store I spotted a unique tea tin, and since I have a collection of them I decided to get it.  The saleslady said she found it in northern Michigan.   Have you ever seen a tin with a clasp like this?

Most have pull-off lids like this one in my collection.

There were lots of things I saw and liked, but only the brooch and tea tin came home with me.   Who knows what February's visit will produce.