Last week was interesting. I got a call from the new owner of the tea shop located where Abbey Gardens, (where I worked last year), was located. She asked me if I'd consider working weekends for her, at least through the end of the year, then we'll re-assess in January. I wasn't looking for another thing to do, but we need the money for Christmas, and maybe the people there will end up in Moni's Monavie business, under us. I started this past Saturday.
The new place is called Front Porch Tea Cafe. It's very different than the old tea parlour. Instead of cluttered Victorian, it's wide open with a strong country casual feel. It's not about white glove service, it's about making guests feel like family visiting on the weekend or something. It's not lacy and girly like before either (although I didn't mind it a bit). Instead, it's actually male-friendly, painted in cranberry and other bolder colors - although the ladies' bathroom is pink.
The prices are lower, the menu choices are fairly different, and the atmosphere is kind of exciting because of the newness of it all. Having had 3 owners before in that location, there was always a struggle with "that's the way we've always done it", even if no one knew why. Now is the time for innovative new ideas and making contemporary changes.
The crew is like a small little family, and although I'm "the new kid", everyone was very welcoming and friendly. I don't want to work as badly as I want our business to take off - but in the meantime - I think I'm going to like it there.
I like that it was my choice, and I could see God's hand in all of it. It's nice working with Moni again, too. I'll have to grab some photos when I work this weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment