With nearly every space in the parking lot filled, every table packed, and wonderful energy and ambiance, business at Serenity Garden Tea House & Cafe on Vallette Way in West Palm Beach was booming on a recent afternoon.
That's why the note on the homepage of their website, as well as their social media accounts, announcing that the restaurant was closing seemed so strange.
Despite their fantastic business, owner Audrey Farrelly said that on August 23, this quaint, but bustling business just south of downtown and steps from the Norton Museum of Art will close their doors after 28 years.
She said that the landlord had "asked them to vacate the space" in the note.
Farrelly, a native of Ireland who moved to the United States in 1999, said she is the third
owner of the business and took over in 2013 after 11 years as general manager of beloved Clematis Street mainstay O'Shea's Irish Pub.
She said they are currently looking for a new location, and though sad to be leaving the beautiful cottage that was built in 1919 where the business is located, Farrelly was steadfast. She said that she'd love to stay in downtown West Palm Beach, but if another opportunity came up that was better that would be fine as well.
With less than 10 days to go before they close this chapter customers can still get that last cup of tea, including their three most popular pineapple coconut black tea, berry Brulé black tea, and raspberry rose petal herbal tea; enjoy made-in-house scones, a slice of quiche, a cup of chicken curry soup and more.
Though she was busy with work while talking, Farrelly is passionate about her business, her employees and her customers. This is powerfully reflected in the note.
To her staff she wrote: "You showed up with warmth and grace, day after day, and are the true soul of this teahouse. None of this was possible without you."
To her guests she says "Thank you for trusting us with your time, your celebrations, your quiet moments of peace. You are the memories woven into every table here."
Farrelly ends by saying they are actively seeking a new location to "brew you a fresh cuppa and bake you a cake."
Serenity Garden Tea House & Cafe
Where: 316 Vallette Way, West Palm Beach
Closing: August 26
Information: 561-655-3911; serenitygardentea.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Beloved West Palm Beach tea house in historic cottage to close Aug. 23
