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 on line, I received a letter from my cousin Ann in England whom I never knew existed. 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, as well as several other relatives. 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.
There will be seating for up to 48 people. Private parties are available with advance notice. We will be open Monday through Friday at 6:00 AM, Saturday at 11:00 AM, Sunday we will be closed except for private parties or special events. Closing times will be until 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday and until 9:00 PM Friday and Saturday. See our calendar for special events music, poetry reading, comedy nights and other entertainment.
In the summer 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 on the first floor of the Lofts Condominiums. 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. Turn left at the foot of the bridge at Illinois Street. Turn left again on Front Street just past the tracks along the I & M Canal. There is a large free parking garage directly behind My English Garden Café for your convenience.
