This weekend “Sweet D’s Positively British Tea Room” celebrates its grand opening. Housed in a 19th century Victorian home in Linden, Michigan, the tea room combines the many passions of the owner, Dee Birch. The tea room, along with a hair salon, bakery and gift shop, occupies the first floor of Birch's 6,000 square foot Victorian home.
"I was influenced by my grandmother who was born in 1891" says Birch. The tea room owner credits her grandmother for an appreciation of tea and all things Victorian.
Sweet D's Positively British Tea Room will serve afternoon teas in an intimate setting. The tea will be served in courses, starting with a soup or salad, followed by tea sandwiches, scones and desserts on a three-tiered tray. Currently, the tea room is offering a selection of a dozen different Ashby loose leaf teas. Birch already serves a variety of sweet treats in her bakery, which specializes in homemade pies and caramels.
Birch, who was raised in Oscoda, Michigan, honed her entrepeneurial skills at “Fannie’s Fine Things”, a hair salon, tea room and gift shop she owned and operated for twenty-two years. She's been a stylist for 39 years.
Her unique blend of hair styling skills and knowledge of Victorian fashions, landed Birch the job of Jane Seymour’s hairstylist in 2002 for The Grand Hotel’s “Somewhere in Time” event, a weekend devoted to the movie filmed on Mackinac Island and held every October. Since that date, Birch has been invited to return every fall to the Mackinac Island’s famous hotel to lecture on a variety of Victorian topics.
Sweet D's Tea Room draws from English tea time traditions. Birch is particularly enthused about the tea room’s manager, Neil Allmark ,who was born in Birmingham, England, and shares her passion for tea. He will assist guests with menu and tea selections.
Seatings for Saturday will be 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. After the grand opening, afternoon tea will be served Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, for $22.00.
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