CarolinaConsidered Visits Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway, South Carolina

Programs in This Series

• Part One: Introduction to Mrs. Allen and the Tea Room
• Part Two: The Thomas Company and “Mercantile”
• Part Three: Building Renovation/Restoration and Startup
• Part Four: “High Tea” and the Tea Room Staff.
• Part Five: The High Tea Menu and What to Expect.
• Part Six: Conclusion: The Clientele of Laura’s Tea Room, Including Ridgeway Residents.

Laura’s Tea Room in Ridgeway, South Carolina, is something! A be-sure-not-to-miss institution. Driving through Ridgeway on Route 21, the way folks used to go between Columbia and Charlotte, it’s impossible to miss. Right on the corner where Route 34 intersects Route 21, as you can see in the photo above. The site of the town’s only traffic light!

I discovered Laura’s Tea Room a few years ago, not long after it opened, while camping at Lake Wateree State Park. Internet access, and even cell phone service, is notoriously sketchy at that beautiful Park. It’s improved some in recent years, but still can be a problem. Anyway, I drove out of the Park in search of a WiFi connection. The town of Winnsboro has many, but I hoped for something closer.

Imagine my surprise while driving through the charming little town of Ridgeway to see a sign in front of an inviting storefront advertising the availability of WiFi. Well! I had to stop. What luck!

Laura’s tea room is open Tuesday through Saturday, with tea served 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The new deli serves between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. And the gift shop is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A complex schedule. But you’ll see why when you visit. Click here to access the website.

Returning earlier this year, back in May, I was lucky enough to catch Proprietor Carol Allen for an interview. Mrs. Allen works! So it wasn’t easy to find a time. Have a listen to the first segment of our chat with her, in which she introduces herself and her interesting business.

You can view the video in the small window above, or click it for an expanded view. And be sure to click below to access Part Two of this interview.

Click here to access Part Two of this series