16 | LUXlife Magazine eading up to the founding of their business in the summer of 2007, Sean and Michelle (‘Shelly’) Sinclair were regular frequenters of tea rooms across their local region in England, but often found themselves disappointed with their experiences, be it due to poor service or lacklustre food. Determined to change this, the couple started a teabased revolution, and Shelly’s Tea Rooms was born shortly thereafter. With Sean and Shelly both having experience in the retail sector, and Shelly even boasting a diploma and a past career in catering, Shelly’s Tea Rooms was built on a foundation of customer delight, something that was strived for across every element of the business, from the quality of the cutlery and the napkins through to teapots which do not drip. Having embedded this ethos into two English locations, one in a 15th century building and the other in the stunning backdrop of St Margaret’s Bay, Sean and Shelly thought it about time to introduce the US to their revolution. Choosing the very birthplace of America for their tea room, the iconic Massachusetts town of Plymouth – which itself is named after a city in England – serves as the perfect location for the first authentic English tea rooms to be operated by English owners in the state. With this unique distinction in tow, Shelly’s Tea Rooms is a beacon of authenticity, combining this with a cosy atmosphere and consistent excellence to distinguish itself from other tea rooms across the state, all of which have recently experienced a significant increase in trade. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, people savour intimate moments with loved ones more than ever, and this has resulted in afternoon tea becoming increasingly popular across generations. Not only is it an event that the whole family can enjoy, but with young people today consuming less alcohol than previous generations, tea is becoming an increasingly popular alternative for a social drink, with nightclubs being ditched for niche, family-owned hot drink locations, of which Shelly’s Tea Rooms is a textbook example. Alongside a comprehensive afternoon tea menu, with a variety of cakes, snacks, and lunch options also available, Shelly’s Tea Rooms offers a selection of drinks representative of tea in all of its multifaceted glory, from traditional English breakfast through to a variety of green, herbal, and black teas. This is just the tip of the iceberg however, with Sean and Shelly also delivering a series of ‘quirky’ teas, with these encompassing such flavours as apple pie, birthday cake, cotton candy, pumpkin spice, and even pina colada. Given the unique standing of this international brand and the increase in trade across the tea sector in the US, Shelly’s Tea Rooms has recently Authentic English Tea Rooms of the Year 2024 - USA Tea is perhaps the quintessential English export, and, given that its brand was first established more than 15 years ago in Kent, South East England, is something fully understood by the multi-award-winning Shelly’s Tea Rooms. Born and bred in England, Shelly’s Tea Rooms operated successfully for more than a decade in its home country before deciding to try and make it in America. Despite COVID-19 putting these plans on hold temporarily, the company opened up its authentic English team room in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2022, to a great reception. started offering franchising opportunities across the country, affording keen entrepreneurs a chance to make money and also uphold the high standards of authenticity and customer service which Shelly’s Tea Rooms is known for. Ultimately, this is all just the beginning of what is sure to be an incredibly prosperous journey for Shelly’s Tea Rooms, which is passionate about bringing its unique blend of authentic English afternoon tea and quality service to every corner of the US, something that these new franchising opportunities could eventually make possible. Having been recognised in this awards programme for the second consecutive year, Shelly’s Tea Rooms is proof that it is possible to move to the other side of the world and make a business work, especially when said business lives and breathes quality and authenticity. Named as the Authentic English Tea Rooms of the Year 2024 - USA, Shelly’s Tea Rooms has carved out a name for itself as a go-to destination, delivering an authentically English experience to discerning food and drink lover throughout Massachusetts and beyond. Contact: Sean Sinclair Company: Shelly’s Tea Room Web Address: https://www.shellystearooms.com/ L Sep24517
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