The stage is set even before entering the cheerful yellow heritage building that houses Adorabelle Tea Room and Gift Shop. There is a sense of having arrived at a full-scale dollhouse, complete with a white picket fence, which was the original home of the Steveston Court House (built in 1925).
In 2012 owner Cathy Hayes realized Steveston was lacking a tea room and thought the old court house was the perfect location for her new business. Her intention was to create an atmosphere where “guests could take a break from life to restore themselves.”
After extensive renovations Adorabelle Tea Room and Gift Shop opened, and subsequently afternoon tea devotees have been flocking from miles around to sip individually selected loose-leaf tea and enjoy tea sandwiches, fresh baked scones and petite sweets.
Cathy believes, “We give people something they didn’t even know they needed.” This restorative feeling is inspired by the calm surroundings where technology is notably absent. There are no televisions and guests are encouraged to turn off cell phones.
