by Karen Callaway • Photography by William Dickey
The state of Maine is known for its craggy coastlines, as well as an abundance of old-growth forests teeming with balsam fir, northern hardwoods, and pine—impressive geographical elements that draw nature lovers and adventurers in droves. But there is a whole other side to the Down East area that appeals to those in search of delicious blends—and a few sweet treats on the side. Here, we highlight five of our favorite places for indulging in the singular serenity found only in a great cup of tea.
TEA MAINEIA
115 Main Street • Winterport, ME 04496
207-223-5133 • teamaineia.com
Standing amid tall cases filled with tins of tea, Dan Holmes explains that this enterprise began with wife Debbie’s love of loose-leaf tea—and the long distance she had to drive to get the decaf Darjeeling she favored. One day, Dan had a bolt-from-the-blue vision for their own tea shop, an idea so vivid he could picture every detail, right down to the décor.
The Holmeses sell more than 70 varieties of tea, including their own blends, and Dan happily demystifies the often-intimidating process of brewing loose-leaf tea. They also offer
tea-related wares like the tea
cozies Debbie makes and the
aprons stitched by a nearby
resident. Though Debbie
works as a nurse during the
week, she joins Dan on the
weekends, when they host
tea events, often spotlighting
one country’s tea for the day
or holding blindfold tastings
to see if patrons can discern
between samples.
THE BLUE WILLOW TEA ROOM
36 Water Street • Randolph, ME 04346 • 207-458-1825
An auction house located in a former purse factory may seem an unusual place for a tearoom, but the loyal patrons of the Blue Willow Tea Room have turned this unlikely venue into a favorite luncheon destination. The tearoom, named for the china pattern loved by owner Patty Farrin’s grandmother, is sunny, cheerful, and decidedly feminine.
Five four-seat tables are each decorated with a different theme—Blue Willow, pink Depression glass, bone china, cut glass, and chintz—and they are done so beautifully, customers often ask if they can purchase the whole table! Patty serves lunchtime teas two days a week, offering her homemade goods on traditional three-tiered trays, and guests may choose from 30 varieties of tea. The menu changes with the season—summer brings fresh-fruit or lemon-thyme scones, and sandwiches often include Maine’s signature lobster as an ingredient.
Patty also hosts special events on
the weekends, like the recent Downton Abbey gathering (where she dressed up as Mrs. Patmore), as well as baby and bridal showers and other parties. “I love the appeal of making events pretty,” says Patty, who admits to a fondness for doilies, cupcake wrappers, and such. “It’s rewarding to see how happy people are while they’re here.”
JACQUELINE’S TEA ROOM
201 Main Street • Freeport, ME 04032
207-865-2123 • jacquelinestearoom.com
What do you do if someone buys the historical home you’ve been eyeing for your tearoom? Well, if you’re Jacqueline Soley, you build your own “circa-1848” Greek Revival–style house—complete with a pink front door—just up the street. Using windows from an old structure being razed and wide pine planks for the floors, this industrious entrepreneur created not only a thoroughly charming tea venue and a bed-and-break fast inn, but also a home for her family. She even did all the landscaping.
This “Jacqueline-of-all-trades,” as she laughingly describes herself, fell in love with tearooms years ago when a visit to one in Tampa, Florida, inspired her to seek out others during her travels around the world. When the opportunity arose to open her own, she was ready. The cooking skills she learned from her mother hold her in good stead in the tearoom, where she makes everything from scratch. She offers a four-course Afternoon Tea and a simpler Cream Tea. “I change up the menu all the time so I don’t get bored,” she says. And her customers can’t wait to see her latest creations—think brie with roasted-red-pepper tapenade.
A gift shop runs throughout the premises, filled with all sorts of lovely things. “I see my place as a sort of spiritual haven,” says Jacqueline, “where guests are taken away from daily life and pampered for a while.”
NELLIE’S TEA AND GIFTS
5 Industry Road Suite 1A • South Portland, ME 04106
207-761-8041 • nelliestea.com
Marianne Russo’s father was from England, and tea, accompanied by her grandmother Nellie’s delicious baked goods, was always a part of her family’s daily life. When she realized not everyone had this same experience, she thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to someday open a little English tearoom?” Since she was a career nurse and had no business experience, that idea easily could have remained a what-if. But a determined Marianne jumped in and learned all she could about the tea world.
Nellie’s is small, with seating topping out at a dozen, but it car
ries about 70 varieties of tea and a large number of tea accoutrements, such as infusers, teapots, and storage tins. Marianne also offers classes both at the shop and in the community. “I love sharing my passion for tea with others,” she says. “When someone gets excited about all the wonderful flavor profiles of tea leaves, I know I’ve done a good job!”
DOBRÁ TEA
89 Exchange Street • Portland, ME 04101
207-210-6566 • dobrateame.com
Lifelong tea drinkers Ellen Kanner and Ray Marcotte were looking for career changes when they took a “huge leap of faith” to open Dobrá Tea of Portland in 2011. The married couple had made frequent visits to Dobrá’s first U.S. location in Burlington, Vermont. They were impressed with the company’s Bohemian-style tearooms and its commitment to quality and freshness of product, as well as sustainable farming practices.
The tearoom is a perfect fit for the historic Old Port neighborhood, close to cobblestone streets but away from the noisy nightlife. Customers feel as if they have entered a different world, with soft music and spicy aromas that engender an atmosphere “somewhere between a pub and a church,” says Ray. “It’s a place to be social with friends or a place to be quiet and introspective.”
Ellen and Ray wanted to create a community gathering spot, and they’ve done just that. The works of area artists and craftsmen are on display, and a local Middle Eastern ensemble performs every third Saturday evening. Dobrá draws an eclectic clientele, from mothers with young children to businessmen—and everyone in between.
But it’s the tea that’s at the heart of this place, and Ellen and Ray strive to share their extensive knowledge. Explains Ray, “We want to educate our customers that there is an incredible world of loose-leaf artisan tea to experience.”
Karen Callaway is a former magazine editor who writes on a variety of topics from her home in Birmingham, Alabama.
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