It was a sad day for fans of Clancy’s Tea Cosy on Friday, May 30, as the popular White Rock destination served lunches and high teas just once more before closing its doors for the last time.
The last day was a busy one, however, as the tea shop was packed with reservations from loyal customers – some even wearing black to signify their mourning for the passing of a favourite haunt.
For almost 30 years, the Pacific Avenue business had been a go-to for special tea parties – some for birthdays and anniversaries, some merely for those craving a traditional British style cuppa, brewed from a staggering variety of gourmet international loose-leaf tea blends, accompanied by delicate cucumber sandwiches, scones, tempting pastries, and, or course, the de rigeur complement of strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Clancy’s Tea Cosy, regulars knew, had also provided a charming rite of passage for many children, tweens and teens in the community – a chance to revel in dressing up for their first proper tea party, enjoying the dainty china and delectables with their friends, moms or even grandmoms. Such memorable occasions were often merely a prelude for many more visits over the years.
Shelina Jamani, who has been proprietor for the last nine years, with yeoman assistance from husband Harry Bryan, as well as the caring conscientiousness of loyal longtime staff members, said the decision to close was not an easy one.
She told Peace Arch News that the owners of the unit housing the tea shop had announced their intention to sell some time ago.
“I pleaded with them to let us keep it open, but as of January this year we have only been able to be on a monthly lease, and that really makes it impossible to plan, or order supplies properly,” she said.
“It led to a lot of sleepless nights.”
An offer to buy she submitted was not accepted, and the unit has now sold, she added.
She said that she had also made many efforts to see if another property could be leased so that the business could continue, to no avail.
“There was nothing that was reasonable, or that had a landlord who would be reasonable,” she said.
“I was willing to go somewhere else – including Ocean Park and Crescent Beach. I looked at Cloverdale, Langley, New Westminster, and even Steveston, but nothing was going to work out.”
White Rock’s waterfront was also not a workable option, considering the lease payments required for properties there, she said.
“I actually feel sorry for people (running restaurant businesses) at the beach,” she said, noting the impending demise of “a major restaurant” (The Boathouse recently announced it would be closing its doors after 20 years).
“It’s a seasonal business at best, and unless you’ve got a lot of really loyal customers it’s not viable.”
Also helping with Jamani’s decision was the fact that two longtime employees were leaving – one to retire, another to pursue an out-of-town opportunity – while she, herself had a chance to return to field of professional fundraising, in which she worked before taking over the Tea Cosy.
“I have no regrets – I wouldn’t change anything,” she said.
“The people I’ve met here, the friends we’ve made – we’ll continue to keep in touch with them. And I love our staff – I can’t say too much about them – and I wouldn’t have been able to keep on without the help of my husband, who I dragged in here to do baking and bookkeeping and cleaning dishes…”
Customers on the final day were understanding of Jamani’s decision – but sad and sentimental nonetheless.
Bonita Goddyn said she and Debbie Mellinger have been coming in for the same lunchtime order for nine years, and felt a strong need to book one more reservation before the teashop closed.
“Our family has been coming here for years,” said Mellinger. “We’ll sure miss it – we haven’t got that many places like it anymore.”
Wendy Wilson booked a large table for herself and a group of friends, all of whom came dressed in black dresses or ensembles for the occasion.
“We’ve come here and celebrated many an occasion – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, you name it,” Wilson said, adding that the loss of a favourite rendezvous will be keenly felt by her circle.
“We’ve even brought our own black table napkins, just for today.”
