English Tealeaves: The beginnings and now!

English Tealeaves is a modern English Tea Cafe and Gift Shop. It's the idea of Rob & Lynne Ridge, who transferred to the USA in 1981 and moved to beautiful Colorado 5 years ago.

Located in the fast growing area of Parker on 18671 Main Street, the cafe is situated in the new 10,000 sq. ft. Magnolia Center and has a seating capacity of 40. The theme of the cafe is obviously tea, which is prepared with high quality leaf tea, mainly from England, using hot water, teapots, and tea strainers. It's the Ridges belief that one of the reasons that Americans don't drink much tea, is that they have not had the opportunity to taste different varieties made to high standards. They were amazed at the reactions at focus-group tastings where participants who claimed not to like tea confessed that they did like what they were drinking. Some could not believe the difference between the samples and their normal tea bags. Over 60 different teas and tisanes are offered, with the promise that if a customer tries a new tea and does not like the taste, it will be replaced with another selection. Tea tastings are offered so that participants can experience teas from around the world, understand the different types, learn about the processing, have fun, and find teas they really like. We have also found that many people cannot tolerate caffeine and we now have a choice of over 12 decaffeinated teas as well as tisanes. The many health benefits of tea are being documented weekly, and with our membership of the Tea Council, we receive updated information that we pass onto people looking to change their drinking habits, some at the strong suggestions of doctors.

The Mayor of Parker and the British Consul cutting the ribbon to the shop.

The cafe serves breakfast and lunch, with many English favorites, such as malt bread, crumpets, Cornish pasties, and steak & kidney pies. Scones with English jam and Devonshire cream are always available and a favorite at our specially arranged tea parties. The decor and furnishing is both modern and comfortable. The cafe features attractive, upholstered chairs, modern Scandinavian design, glass tables, and wooden floors.

Fine loose leaf tea is offered in both packets and sampler packs, to give the new tea drinker many varieties at an affordable cost. Over 20 types of functional teapots are stocked, from English china to Thai & Japanese styles, from the ultra-modern to handmade collectables. We stock tea strainers, tea cozies, tea caddies, books on tea, and all types of mugs, from heavy ceramic Beatles 3D caricature to fine bone china. You will find unique gifts from England, such as fine china tea sets, wall plaques, figurines, and a unique range of ceramic, English historic-homes. Favorites of Lynne are the English woven-silk cards and the range of uinque children's cards. We also have English chocolate biscuits, clotted cream biscuits, and a selection of favorite English candies.

Lynne and Rob look forward to you visiting English Tealeaves, and we are confident you will enjoy our relaxing atmosphere, classical music, and friendly attention.

Rob & Lynne