Fancy That, a unique business for those planning to hold an afternoon tea

Sarah Erlandson loves fine china and vintage glassware. In fact, she loves it so much she managed to grow a very large collection of beautiful pieces that were perfect for tea. As with most collectors, however, she wanted to continue collecting. Therefore she rented a storage space and started an internet business renting her beautiful china, glassware, and flatware to people who wanted to throw afternoon tea.

Fancy That, her websites,  was Erlandson's only way of showing clients her beautiful collection of china, glass, and flatware. If a visitor wanted to see it in person, he or she had to visit the storage space where it was kept. However. Erlandsaon's client list kept growing and more and more clients wanted to touch and feel the fine China they were renting. She wanted a place with better lighting that would really showcase her collection of vintage china and glassware.

She also wanted a place for her clients to sit comfortably while they examined the beautiful things and discussed their event plans with Erlandson. During planning, her customers often expressed a desire for one-stop-shopping for their events. They wanted a place where they could rent the china and buy lemon curd, clotted cream, and everything else that goes with tea. Her clients trust her judgment and wanted her recommendations.

Therefore, she leased an 1850's bungalow house on Main Street in Walpole, Massachusetts. Though it was once a residence, it is now a commercial space with seven rooms. The main room, which is full of light, is her showroom with two side rooms dedicated to storage. She will dedicate two other rooms to retail, selling all those items that her clients ask her for.  Erlandson says that Fancy That will carry a "really delicious lemon tea bread that's to die for."

Erlandson calls one room the dining room. She does not plan to serve afternoon tea there. She plans to through periodic open house buffet-style tea tastings for no charge. During this time the retail area will be open and a harpist will play in the showroom. Buying products in the retail area will support more tea tastings in the future.

To do all this, though, Erlandson needs some help. She has post a donation request on Kick Start. Her project is called It's Time for Tea. To fund the retail area and the free tea tastings as well as purchase a sign so people can find her shoppe, Erlandson  needs $3.800 in pledges by June 30, 2010.  So far she has received $365 in pledges. She is offering some very nice rewards to those who donate. For $50 or more, donors receive a loaf of the "to die for" lemon tea bread as well as all the gifts offered to those who donate $5.00 or more. If you care to donate, just follow the link above.

Fancy That is located at 272 Main Street, Walpole, Massachusetts, 02081. The phone number is 888-323-2TEA (2832).