What do you want from a teashop?

[littleteapotandcake]

I'm at the very early stages of looking at taking over a teashop in a small seaside town. I would interested in finding out what you like or don't like when you visit or any advice from anyone who has done/is running a teashop now. TIA

Actually no WiFi probably keeps out the one who WFH and hog a table with their laptops

It’s better to do a few things really well than try and do too much and end up with things half arsed. Start small with a few really good things on the menu & expand out slowly.

out of season the locals will be your main trade so really be sure you know your local community & what they want because they’re the ones you’ll need to be in there on a cold wet afternoon in January

A gluten free option that isn’t chocolate brownies and that isn’t also automatically vegan. I hate places that put all dietary needs into one thing, as if we can all be palmed off with one cardboard tasting option.
Another vote for gluten-free. And agree with the above: just GF, not a cover-all-bases / free-from-everything-and-anything.

YY to non-drip teapots and space between tables. Prams/travel systems have got much bigger recently - borrow one and try manoeuvring it through the door/between tables. A cafe near us has an amazing covered outside area perfect for prams, but if someone is sitting at the table near the door to the garden you can’t get a big pram through. And 100% yes to opening hours.

But yes to everyone saying fresh, local produce and good quality food. And maybe an option to take away eg bread and eggs?

Good decaf tea and coffee. Oat milk.

Good choice of vegetarian options that don’t involve bread, not just vegan. Eg omelettes, quiche, salad bowls with interesting ingredients and protein options (eggs, feta etc).

I was just thinking the other day that I miss the toasted products teashops always used to have, English muffins, crumpets, door step toast, tea cakes, pikelets, welsh rarebit etc Surely must be overdue a nostalgic rediscovery?!

Spotlessly clean toilets.. level access disabled toilet with HAND operated bin. Absolutely no point putting a foot operated pedal bin in a disabled toilet that will be used by customers in wheelchairs!
Clear tables completely between customers, wipe ( including round the edges of the table where all the sticky fingers have been) and replace flowers, cruets etc.
No dogs indoors.
All food must be covered, glass domes or behind glass... no-one breathing over the scones when they are at the counter.
Hot food is piping hot, served on hot plates.
Do not out paper napkins UNDER the scones/ cakes etc... they just get soggy and unuseable AND half the cake stick to it!!
Clean high chairs thoroughly after every use.
No loud music... subtle background stuff is okay.
Nothing tacky or twee.
Not 24 different teas and 17 different coffees to choose from... please!!!
Polish the cutlery... makes a huge difference.

Comfortable chairs that you sink into.

A child free area.

Oh and please PLEASE test drive the teapots!! Nothing worse than a dirty pourer!!

Baby changing in the women’s AND the men’s toilets

Tables at the right height so my boobs don't rest on them.

Nice cake and toasted tea cakes.

😂

I always wonder if business owners regret starting these threads. I know that they can be useful but sometimes it seems that all that comes of it is a bunch of contrary answers e.g to allow dogs or not to allow dogs.

Tablecloths
Vintage china teapots and crockery (not matching, and they can be found in all good charity shops)
proper napkins
Decent tea
Fresh, home-made scones and cakes
Jugs of milk for the tea

I’m grateful for toilet facilities that are easily accessible for people within a buggy. Friendly staff- that makes a huge difference.

Decent hot chocolate. Not Cadburys. Hot chocolate that is both hot and chocolatey.

Personally I’m mentally screaming ‘noooo!’ at all the requests for mismatched china! I agree it’s more environmentally friendly than buying new though.

Agree with loads here.
Teapots that pour without leaking everywhere.
Pot of hot water to refresh pot/dilute as necessary.
Choice of teas with leaves & strainer (not bags)
Must have Earl Grey and Darjeeling.
Good cappuccino- nice & frothy with decaf option.
Small cafetière of coffee option. DH always asks for black coffee & is invariably brought a 3/4 cup to leave room for milk!
Attractive cups.
Being able to have an afternoon tea (finger sandwiches, scone & cake) without booking in advance.
Decent small helping of salad garnish (not token 1/2 cherry tomato.
Savoury options eg fish cakes, avocado & bacon and yes Specials board is nice.
Toasted tea cakes- surprising how they are sometimes difficult to find. Seem to be quite a few places offering scones, cake or pastries but not tea cakes.
Nice fresh loo.

You’ve got to find your niche in any business, I think. You can’t be all things to all people. Some people like how my business works, others don’t and that’s fine. I cater for those who fall into my niche, which is a niche with lots of people in it around here! Op will hopefully get some ideas here, then can see what is needed in their area and use the ones that fit.

I assume that’s deliberate policy, though, to discourage people who want to occupy a table with their laptop for two hours over a cup of coffee, and to encourage the two sets of four hungry walkers who might consume vast amounts of tea, sandwiches and cake at the same table over the same time period.

I think you need to decide who your market is.

Without the kids I want ambient music, slouchy chairs, a proper range of decent drinks , nice cake and fancy sandwiches.

With the kids I want space for the buggies, easy to use high chairs with restraints, mix of smaller and larger cakes and food, the idea of a party area works is you've space but I've place just had a small basket for books and small toys, all from the charity shop. Easy to sweep floors.

Don't have a dog but I assume free water for the dogs, plenty of space and no toddlers spilling came on the floor. Outdoor space.

No dogs, please.

Scones can be small. I have been to coffee shops where the scones are so big I have to bring half home with me. I'd rather pay for two small scones if I'm hungry than 1 monster.

In my seaside village we have a huge glut of teashop. 4 have opened this summer to rival the 5 there already were. They all do exactly the same menu, all close at 4pm which makes the village dead after that time.

All were previously restaurants that opened in the evening, so we now have very little choice of restaurants. I want to shake the owners, I really do!

When I was at university I worked in a teashop that opened in the evenings. It did simple stuff- steak, lasagne etc. So if I had a teashop I would at least try this and see how it worked.

Homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches. Good strong tea in a pot.

If you sold fresh bread and other bakery items I would buy those too.

Tables that are not sticky, clean floor, and a loo that is cleaned regularly through the day.

Decent sized loo. A Costa by me, I had to reverse into the loo when I was pregnant