“The best laid themes o’ mice an’ men often go awry/Gang aft a-gley”
-Robert Burns
Or “sometimes a plan just doesn’t work out.”
A few months back, I wrote about how my goal as a shop owner has always been to support USA wholesale businesses.
The upside.
The expanded selection of Harney & Sons tea is going well. They have been on the shelf for about a week and I am so happy that clients are finding them locally! Recently, I was asked if there is any difference between the Stash tea and the Harney. My opinion is that while the Stash Tea is great and I have always loved their tea selection, the Harney & Sons is a different tea in the flavor selection and especially that they offer the silk sachet. I love these. They are also a smaller family-run operation and are a lot closer to us than the Stash Company. I thought about discontinuing the Stash but I am able to find it through, guess what?, a Tarentum and locally owned wholesale distributor. Win, win. The selection may not be as vast as it has been over the past twenty years, but it will be available according to the most popular teas.
The scone mixes also have found their fans as well. This is very promising.
The plan that went slightly awry.
I have discovered that we do not have a taste for clotted cream. No harm, no foul. It is an acquired taste. I have pulled them from the shelf.
The other item that I thought had promise was the maple cream. Waaah. I think perhaps the price point for this product may have been too much or folks just don’t care for that particular product. I imagine it is a small jar filled with product that is very labor intensive.
The maple leaf sugar candy was a split. I think we managed to sell half. Again, the price point on these is rather high but I like them enough to have them as a seasonal product.
I have brand new bunches of super blue and fragrant lavender. They are gorgeous! Pussy willows are in stock with more coming this week. Me so excited. I love the season after the New Year has kicked in. All of the dried florals that you see starting to pop up in the shop come from a wholesale business PA. I think it is important for The Stillroom clients to know this. It keeps everyone’s wheels oiled! With essential lavender oil of course!
Diamond Antiques was crazy busy these past couple of days that I worked. Furniture is going out of the door like crazy! There is still plenty of fine decor to choose from so always check back because it gets replaced just as fast.
The Annual Spring Sale is almost upon us! The days are getting longer and we are almost through the first month of 2021! It is a much loved and enjoyed event that we are all looking forward to so mark your calendars!
Diamond Antiques 311 E. Sixth Avenue Tarentum
Open Tuesday through Sunday 10-5
Closed Monday’s to dust and restock.
The Stillroom Tea Shop is located right inside of the door to the right. We are in the window!
Mask up, wash those hands and keep at least 6 feet of snow apart.
Happy Winter, all!
Drink your tea
The Stillroom 