A cozy, intimate, tea house serving specialty teas, sandwiches and desserts
Linda Tarney
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
1-403-845-5616
linda@zeldasteanook.ca
 Linda Tarney and her Mom Doris ZELDA Cunningham I always thought it would be fun to run a small shop but never thought it was feasible for me. In the spring of 2000 my husband and I purchased alpacas, and as I have knitted for years with acrylics, it was a dream to work with their natural fibre. I began looking into different ways I could sell my product and attended many farmers markets and craft sales. Around the same time that I was deciding how to promote the sale of my fashions, I was also becoming extremely frustrated every time I visited a coffee shop. Being a non-coffee drinker, I found there was not a lot of selection available to me! With numerous discussions and encouragement with my daughter, Jodi, the idea of opening my own tea house with a large selection was born! Being able to convert my own bay, which is attached to my husband's shop and with his encouragement, along with Jodi's, I was able to open my own shop. I knew there were a lot of women artists/artisans out there who worked out of their homes and would benefit from a low commission place to sell their crafts. Because we live 15 miles NE of Rocky Mountain House I wanted a variety of items as well as teas and desserts to make the drive out worthwhile! The last step was finding just the right name, and for that I turned to my mother. My Mom has long been an inspiration for me. She was raised in Edmonton (where she still resides) and was married in 1942 just before her husband (my Dad!) was shipped overseas during the Second World War. They had to move their wedding day up three days at the last minute and spent their honeymoon on the troop train traveling from Edmonton to Ontario. They were given their own berth on the train but had to walk through to the dining car at the other end every time they wanted to eat!!! When they arrived in Ontario Mom couldn't stay in the barracks, and, as she was a �married� woman was also not allowed to stay at the YWCA. She ended up staying at a room and board facility quite some distance away. Whenever my Dad could, he would come and visit her. The only means of transportation was a two-wheeled bike. It was quite an adventure! My oldest sister was born while he was away and was three years old before he met her. They continued to have eight more children and my Mom was always there for us kids - never interfering but always there when we needed advice or help. She turned 90 years old this year and continues to be an inspiration to all of us, including her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren! It was obvious to me to name my tea house after her and incorporate her love of tea, china, and knitting!! Come visit our tea house for a fun adventure! Not only will you get to enjoy one of over 80 teas, and a variety of wonderful desserts, but you can also visit with the Alpacas and shop for unique hand-crafted items. We have seven of our own blends and sell all the teas we serve as well as tea accessories. Book your group (up to 15) and try our Tea Tasting Parties! They are great fun and a unique way to try several types of teas. Be sure to participate in the Rocky Studio Tour on July 16 to 18th, 2010. This year the tour includes 13 studios in the Rocky area. For more information (eg times, a map and list of the participants) visit www.rockystudiotour.com |