Photo courtesy of the Michael Schwartz Library at Cleveland State University
Some of you know that I collect images and recipes and memorabilia from old department store tea rooms. Most of my collection was acquired as I compiled a book on the topic back in 2011. I occasionally get the urge to write a second book, and so I've begun researching again. This week, I came across a postcard image I'd never seen before, for the Halle Bros. Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm surprised by how very spacious the tea room looks, especially by today's tea room standards.
I know I've asked this before, but it's probably time for me to ask it again: How many of you can ever remember going to a department store tea room? If you did, I'd love to hear the name of it, because it might be one whose history (and recipes) I need to explore!
The Tea Rooms I remember as a child was Lyons Tea House in London, so not the USA, but was always special to go there along with a day of sales shopping in London on Oxford Street.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember it clearly but I think I went to the Magnolia Room at Rich's with my grandmother. I wish department stores today had tea rooms!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Halle’s tearoom. Halle’s seventh floor is where you could see Mr.Jingleling at Christmas. Also, Higbee’s and Stouffer’s in Cleveland.
ReplyDeleteI do vaguely remember going to the tea room at "Woodie's," the Woodward & Lothrop department store in downtown Washington, DC, when I was in college long ago. So I was very pleased to see that you included it in your "Dainty Dining" book.
ReplyDelete--from Vernona in DC
I remember going to a tearoom in Philadelphia PA probably around 1980 (?). I do not remember the name, but it was in a brownstone. It was lovely with delicious food and treats - my first time sampling scones with devonshire cream and lemoncurd. Wish I remembered the name!!! My love of teatime!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little, and department stores were downtown, we would go to Belk and Ivy’s (purchased by Dillard’s) in Charlotte. I remember having lunch at one or the other but I don’t know if it was a tea room or just a restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Maryland (born and raised). Hutzler's Department Store was big in Baltimore and grew to a chain of about ten stores. Going to their tea room was the highlight of a shopping trip (which we generally did annually, right before the start of school). I have very fond, sweet memories of our trips and visits to the tea room. Good times! :)
ReplyDeleteI remember in the late '60s, early '70s our local Macy's had a restaurant room of sorts...I remember lunch tables with white tablecloths, waitress service. I think I remember my mother drinking tea. Nice memories. Albany, NY
ReplyDeleteKim
I always wanted to go to a department store tearoom, but my mother was on a tight budget and tearooms were not in that budget. Sometime later I would peak in the one at Meier and Frank here in Portland.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this today. My Aunt worked in the Book Department of Halle’s her entire career. The Tea Room and the Book dept. were on the 9th floor. It was remodeled and enlarged after this picture and renamed The Monitor Room. But, Tea Room always stuck. I used to be a child model for the Doll’s tea party. We would wear lovely Halle dresses and matched with a doll from the toy department. They served the best hot fudge sundaes, with the dark chocolate fudge served piping hot in a small silver pitcher and the vanilla ice cream a solid cold round scoop in a stemmed bowl. The ice cream would begin to melt as the hot fudge was poured over the top, yum! I hope some of this helps you find more stories of the beautiful Halle Brothers Tea Room.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandmother and her sisters used to frequent the Halle Bros tea room whenever they would take the train to Cleveland, OH for a shopping trip. My aunt loved the Sloppy Joe sandwiches so much that she asked for (and got) the recipe. She passed the recipe down and we still love it...it's the best Sloppy Joe recipe.
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