Knightsville Tea Room

New Year, new plan…

Plan A - When we began this journey in January 2024 of traveling back and forth weekly from NC, we truly didn’t think it would last this long. We had hoped the business would grow enough that we could hire someone to manage it for us and we would just come down occasionally. That never happened. Our Café was either feast or famine, and the waste / extra labor costs were too high to continue with that plan.

Spring of 2024 - we were approached by a business wanting to buy our little store, and after making the gut-wrenching decision to sell we went under contract. It was during a time that Mr. Randy was dealing with a series of health issues and we felt that we really didn’t have a choice. However, after 6 LONG (and agonizing) MONTHS, the buyer pulled out the day before Due Diligence.

On to Plan B…. turn our Café into a Tea Room, January 2025. 

Our original plan was to only be open for Tea Parties and require reservations which would give us more control over our schedule, (modeled after a very successful Tea Room I once visited). But when we found out that the business still purchased the property behind us with plans to build an indoor/outdoor pickle ball court (with a new entrance and driveway), we thought it would be better to keep our General Store/ Coffee House open on a regular basis to generate more business in addition to the Tea Room. However, a year later and there’s still no sign of construction. 

Plan C - Open the Tea Room to walk in customers and Brunch on Sundays to generate more business.

We tried it, we didn’t like it. We’re back to high waste and extra labor costs plus all of the different options seem to be confusing everyone.

Plan D – Go back to the original plan of only being open when we have Tea Reservations to better control our schedule and let GOD provide. 

If we are to continue doing this, we NEED more time off. The days we have off between driving back and forth are not restful and we’re exhausted. And we’re missing out on important family and friend events. 

Beginning January 2026, we are going to concentrate on the Tea Room and return to reservation only. The General Store / Coffee House will still be open to the public but only during the times that we are here for Tea Parties which will vary.

Our typical hours for reservations will be Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00-3:00, but subject to change. If we do not have a reservation, we will not be open. However, this puts us in a better position to open on other days (Sunday-Tuesday) for special occasions and private parties. We will still welcome last-minute reservations if we are able to, but there’s no guarantee, so please plan ahead when possible.  

We know this is not ideal but we pray everyone can understand and will still support our little store when they can. 

Sincerely,

Randy and Lori Sparks