Modern elegance meets rustic in Waterdown, Canada
Text by Annie Stanziani • Photography Courtesy of Tea At The White House
In the cozy little town of Waterdown, Ontario (population 10,000), lies a northern “White House.” Intriguingly named for a Canadian venue, Tea At The White House is an inviting respite for both locals and out of towners, attracted either by the town’s quaint appeal, whimsical shops, or abundance of nearby waterfalls and trails.
Current owners Andrew May and Connor Skingley purchased the tearoom, which was originally located in a charming white house, in 2017. Connor is a native of this hamlet, while Andrew hails from a neighboring city. Both tea lovers, they had been fans of the shop and dove into ownership when the opportunity arose. A move to a new location with a more streamlined aesthetic fit with their vision of modern elegance.
Sitting atop the Niagara escarpment, Waterdown is a mere 50-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Toronto and the equally busy tourist mecca of Niagara Falls. These are the lands of the Indigenous people of the Chonnonton Nation, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas. In 1805, Alexander Brown of the Great North West Fur Company became the first European to settle in the area, building its first schoolhouse (currently the site of American House, one of Ontario’s oldest hotels). In 1823, another prominent businessman, Ebenezer Griffin, established the town of Waterdown. As a prohibitionist, he would no doubt approve of Tea At The White House, for nothing stronger than tea is served here.
When you enter the shop, you first notice the huge bank of gleaming glass jars filled to the brim with every type of tea imaginable—a veritable candy store for tea connoisseurs. A staggering selection of more than 200 handcrafted teas are made in house by Connor, the talented tea sommelier and baker extraordinaire. So many tantalizing options from around the globe in the black, rooibos, organic, pu-erh, white, purple, green, herbal, and decaf categories await. For those who crave a bit of drama, a blooming tea is a delight for the eyes, nose, and palate—see the metamorphosis from tea bud to flowering garden in a teapot, right before your eyes. For those with a sweet tooth, Chocolate Macaroon Swoon, Cherry Chili Rooibos, and Coconut Caramel Smash are just a few of the choices. Searching for the exotic? Ti Kuan Yin Oolong, Tou Cha, or Peony White Needle may appeal. The “Be Well” line of brews (Brighten, Detox, Digest, Grow, Relax, Restore, Remember, Sleep, and Strengthen) tick all the boxes for the health conscious tea lovers. For the dyed in the wool Anglophiles, the vividly colored Buckingham Palace Garden Party or Royal Wedding Blend can set your heart atwitter. With By the Fireside and Infinite Tranquillity, it won’t be long before you are feeling entirely Zen. Connor is a tea artisan.
