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The Winchester Press - Wednesday, October 14, 1992 Tea Room with Atmosphere Williamsburg-There can be something comforting about drinking tea out of a cup just like your mother used to have. For some people it may bring back memories of a more relaxed time when the drink was something of an afternoon ritual to be savored. It's the type of atmosphere business partners Marcel Allard and Victor Dupuis want for their new cafe, Village Antiques and Tearoom, on Hwy. 31 in Williamsburg. Everything in their 12-seat tearoom, which is part of their antique shop, tries to bring back the past. The room is decorated with furniture and knick-knacks from their store and even the meals are served on the type of china customers may remember from their childhood. "I think it's a good blend. You could have a tearoom with modern things but even the word tearoom is something from the old days," says Allard. "If you look back in the old days they had their teas in the afternoon and sat down and took the time to relax, they weren't running like they are today." The two men opened the antique store in 1989 but closed it last year because of slow sales during the recession. However, this year they decided to reopen and add the tearoom. "In the spring of '92, we noticed people were knocking on the door. We had no signs out or anything. There seemed to be a renewed interest in antiques so we gave it another try," Allard explains. Almost all the antiques, including the ones in the tearoom, are for sale. The store's antiques range from the mid-19th century to the late Depression era. As well the store carries collectables such as Fire King cups, brightly colored ovenware from the 1950s. "If somebody likes something they can always ask. Everything's for sale when you come right down to it." However, they will not sell any of the Red Ruby collection - a special glassware that is ground with sand and gold to give it its color. They have about 300-400 pieces in their private collection, some of which are on display in the store. Allard has worked in the restaurant business for twenty years but antiques have been a hobby or sideline for about 15 years. Now he is hoping the business will become a full-time venture for both him and Dupuis, who currently works with the Ottawa and District Association for the Mentally Retarded. Since the tearoom opened last month, customers have included local people and tourists form as far away as Switzerland. "It's usually a quaint atmosphere. People still like to be not rushed and pampered," says Allard. "I think this is the sort of thing I'm looking for too. I don't want a big crowd. I just want my 12 seats |
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