“Every day is the first” Deborah (Deb) Sowerby said August 28^th. The road for any new enterprise is a delicate one, full of twists and turns. According to Sowerby, prepare to expect the unexpected.

Tucked amid the rolling farmland of Morris, Connecticut, Penny Farthing stands a testament not only to tea, but to the fortitude of its proprietors. Sowerby is joined by her two best friends and “sisters,” Clare Andrulis and Alison Delello. All three hail from England (United Kingdom) and find camaraderie as they bake the scones, brew the tea, and attend to customers.

New England may be famous for the Boston Tea Party, but now a more peaceful revolution is brewing. A new “British invasion” is making a conquest as the ladies blaze their entrepreneurial trail.

Crossing the Pond

According to Andrulis, coming to US brought its fair share of “culture shock.” She came as an Au Pair to live with an American family and care for their children. Yet, over time, Connecticut became home, where she eventually married and settled. Sowerby and Delello came from England’s north-central and east country (Nottinghamshire and Lancashire respectively). They also found themselves in Connecticut and put down roots.

How these three met and became friends reads like a page from a good book. From a chance encounter on a plane returning from the UK to unexpectedly meeting in a local ER, their friendship has endured. The close bond continues to weather the daily pressures of running a business.

All three women raised their children and lived normal lives. But the ties of home and family still beckoned and sought a fuller expression.

Brewing Dreams

In 2016, Andrulis, Delello, and Sowerby were approached by the Litchfield community for a “pop-up” tea-room. Drawing upon their collective and individual strengths, the ladies created their mobile event and served a variety of baked goodies and tea.

After the COVID-19 pandemic passed, the women expanded their business to hiring out for special events, i.e., birthdays, baby showers, town events, etc. Customers can either rent provided china or sit back and let the trio transform the space into a “traditional British tea room.” Scones were baked for twelve wholesale accounts. Thus, “BritsBrand” was born.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Sowerby.

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Soon, the ladies found themselves busier than ever as an idea sparked in the mind of a fellow business owner.

According to the website, “It truly is a lifelong dream of ours that has come to be a reality and we cannot thank enough Dave Robert for all the time and hard work he has put into this project, his family who have given him up for many months, our own families for understanding when we were not home and our neighbor Anita Cilfone at Bella Luna gifts for her support.”

Sowerby explained how the owners of “Bella Luna Gifts” suggested that the women open a permanent structure within the building they occupy.

Royal Treatment

Delello, who has worked in the restaurant industry all of her life, explained how they won a $10,000 grant to open the tea-room. After months of hard work, Penny Farthing officially opened its doors on September 6, 2024.

“We were happy to get ten people through the door,” Andrulis commented. However, far more than ten people came on opening day. The ladies remember counting 94 tickets. Although every day is treated as opening day, the bustling tea room stand a testimony to success. Over 95 percent of all food items are baked on the premises.

“We’re still pinching ourselves,” Sowerby added.

Over their first year, the ladies experimented with different menu items, including iced coffee and iced tea. Not everyone wants a steaming cup of tea on a hot summer’s day. From sandwiches to a full tea service, the ladies strive to provide a taste of home for every palate. Balancing the American palate with traditional British foods is a journey.

According to Andrulis, they are considering applying for another grant to help cover update costs related to the kitchen.

We’ll Keep a Welcome

From Sowerby’s perspective, tea culture is alive and well in Connecticut. Across the United States, tea rooms and the tradition of taking tea, made popular in the Victorian Era, continue to thrive.

Bruce Richardson, a leading tea expert in North America, sheds light on this unique phenomenon.

“An advertising shingle hanging in the window of a New England establishment sometimes simply read ‘T Room.’ The ‘T’ was code for ‘Temperance.’ Groups of women or families felt safe entering a temperance house where they would not be subjected to fellow diners who might be consuming beer or liquor,” wrote Richardson. “America’s budding tea entrepreneurs cast aside cluttered Victorian decor as they embraced the Arts and Crafts movement that was spreading throughout New England, the Chicago area and Southern California.”

Model T

With the advent of the Model T, by Henry Ford, jaunts throughout the countryside were possible in the early 20^th century. And a wayside tea-room offered an ideal place to take refreshment. Despite the Boston Tea Party of 1773, tea culture returned with a vengeance.

“It’s like coming home,” Sowerby explained. “It’s a joy.”

Together, the “Brit girls” anticipate Penny Farthing’s anniversary over the Sept. 6 weekend. They look forward to greater community involvement and meeting new people. Truly a tranquil and welcoming environment can be found at Penny Farthing.

Of course! Here’s the clean sources section added for Rachel’s article.

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Sources

• Penny Farthing Tea Room official website: https://pennyfarthing-tea-room-morris-connecticut/
• Penny Farthing Tea Room YouTube feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsXjzd4QyBc
• Penny Farthing Tea Room Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_l6J8hvBRR/

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