Our Owner - Sandy Dryer Through the years I had used my creative side to write and sing music and even wrote a children’s play with my brother, “The Magic Music Box”. It was performed by the Orland Park, Illinois Park District. During this time I had been through several jobs as a new home sales consultant, furniture sales, bartender, counselor, and then an assistant manager for a banquet room. Finally, I had found my niche. Soon I became the manager of the facility. I think that most would agree that even if I do say so myself, I was quite good at it. Unfortunately, the banquet hall was sold and under new management that had people already on staff to manage it. During my spare time I had been working on researching my family history and started to think about the good old days with my Aunties serving an authentic English tea. After several years of posting my family information, I received a letter from my cousin Ann in England. Establishing that we were actually related and about a year of correspondence, I planned a trip to England and Ireland to meet with my cousin Ann and our relatives and to experience what traditions that are involved with an authentic English High Tea. Everyday we went to at least two tea rooms to get the total English tea experience. We had tea in the home of Ann’s sister Laura and Laura’s husband Alan with Lucy their dog as well. Then Ann and I went to Ireland for a few days to visit with our cousin Loretta and her children Marian, David and Carl. Everyone went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and a true member of the family. I owe them all for a dream trip of a life time, especially Ann, Loretta, and Marian my heartfelt gratitude that words cannot describe.  From that trip the idea was born, to start doing tea parties at the client’s homes. As word got out about the parties and the calls started coming in, I found that people would prefer to come to my own shop instead of going to their homes. I decided to open my own tea room in Lemont, Illinois………and call it My English Garden Café. We will serve quality teas and coffees, as well as authentic English scones with clotted cream and jam, sandwiches, soups, salads, and of course fresh baked deserts.  I have become partners to share the shop with Brenda Cole who planned to open
her own bakery Lé Patisserie Lemont. As a French Pastry Chef, Brenda will make
all of my pastries and sell whole cakes and scones from my café. Luckily Brenda
saw an article that was written about my shop in the Lemont Reporter Newspaper
on June 7, 2008. She begged the news editor to give her my e-mail address.
Brenda sent a letter immediately to me. I answered her letter and we met that
week. After tasting her delightful wares, we decided to join forces as partners
for My English Garden Café featuring the yummy pastries of Lé Patisserie Lemont.
 In the winter of ‘09 the brick and mortar will be ready to open for business. Come join us at My English Garden Café and have a cuppa with friends. Located in historic downtown Lemont, IL along the I&M Canal. Our address is 337 Front St., Lemont, IL 60439. It has easy access from I-55 or from I-355 exit on Lemont Road south. There is also a large free parking garage directly behind My English Garden Café for your convenience. |
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