Fancy That: Making Memories One Tea Cup at a Time

Fancy That: Making Memories One Tea Cup at a Time
Always sporting a bow tie, Brad McCracken (left), Sarah Erlandson’s husband of almost 16 years, is known around Walpole as the “Tea Guy,” but she calls him her “wingman” because he spent 20 years in the Navy. His help with the tearooom has been essential.

When Sarah was planning her wedding in 2000 and looking to rent pretty dishes for the occasion, she was surprised to find that no one offered that service in the United States at that time. “That was really the genesis of my vintage-rental business,” she explains. 

In 2009, she found a home for her enterprise in a cute little 19th-century bungalow, which she initially used just to meet clients. “People would come in and want to buy my furniture or the items I had,” she recalls. Eventually, she opened a small gift shop and focused on importing products from England and France. Customers then began saying they wanted to be able to have tea there, not just to buy it. 

Sarah had always secretly hoped to open a tearoom, so for years she had been planning the details of it—in her head, at least. As a trial run of sorts, she decided to offer afternoon tea once a month for all of 2012. People bought tickets not just for one month, but for the whole year, and she sold out all 12 events in a matter of a few weeks. She knew she was onto something and officially launched the tearoom in early 2013. “It’s been nonstop tea ever since,” she says.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I have been subscribing to Tea Time for many years. I look forward to receiving each new issue. Thank you for publishing such a delightful magazine. Rochelle Mason

  2. It is very strange that I am looking at a story about Fancy That Tea Room. My friends and I just went there yesterday. Brad can’t do enough to make your tea experience absolutely wonderful. I would highly recommend going to Fancy That. I know I will be going back as soon as possible.

  3. Such a charming place, it’s like stepping into the dollhouse you dreamed of as a child and having a tea party. Make a reservation if you are in the area. You’ll love it!

  4. I went to Fancy That yesterday with my son. It was a Mother’s Day present from him. It took a while to get the reservation but was well worth the wait. I have not stopped talking about it to EVERYONE!! I had the most delightful time and just loved the atmosphere so much. I am a tea drinker from way back and this experience was like nothing I have ever had. The tea was wonderful, the food just right and Brad and Sarah the best hosts, so charming, fun and witty. I cannot say enough about my new love interest — Fancy That! I will be back with friends, with relatives, with anyone that wants to go with me!! Thank for a great experience!

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