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'All My Loves' Are In Tea Room, Owner Says

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By DEREK MAUL, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 2, 2008

VALRICO - Lynn Davis is a hospitality maven. Part Martha Stewart, part Martha White, she has nurtured her business plan for years.

On Dec. 5, her dream came true at the opening of The Tea Cup Tea Room, Gifts & Events at 1107 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, south of Lumsden Road.

"We purchased the house in April '06," Davis said. "It's been a steep learning curve, and I'm very much a rule follower. Renovations were much more extensive than we expected, so we took it a bite at a time."

The result was worth the wait, and The Tea Cup is worth a visit. Davis and her husband, Paul, gutted the former Lillian Monroe residence, transformed it into a warm and welcoming tea room, added an extensive deck, created an intimate garden and put loads of parking space in back.

The doors open to a well-stocked gift shop with an inviting parlor arranged around the fireplace. Two elegant tea rooms are served by a commercial kitchen.

"In the beginning, I was impatient with the delays," Davis said. "But it became a blessing as time went on because I was more ready.

"My friend Claudia Richartz is responsible for the recipes," Davis said. "She trained the kitchen staff and still consults."

Along with traditional English high tea selections, Davis has an enticing array of soups, such as chicken artichoke brie, as well as sandwiches, salads and desserts.

"We encourage people to take their time and to relax," she said. "An endless tea pot and endless conversation."

Born and raised in New Jersey, Davis moved with her family to Redington Beach near St. Petersburg when she was 13.

She learned hospitality early.

"My parents had some amazing parties," Davis said. "Cocktail dresses, dishes full of everything yummy, banjos and guitars. On Sunday, we would always dress the table with white linens, silver, china and crystal."

Davis started work at 15 as a Holiday Inn housekeeper. She attended St. Petersburg Junior College while working three jobs and purchased a house at age 22.

"Later I was a hairdresser, worked for Citicorp and was office manager for a seafood business."

In 1989, she married Paul Davis, who works with Tampa Electric Co. They moved to Brandon in 1998.

"I knew immediately Brandon would be a good move for the business I always had in the back of my mind," Lynn Davis said.

"I grew into my talents," she said. "Each thing I loved, I wanted to do. I like parties, decorating, selling, gift shops, getting the gals together. Here, I can incorporate all my loves, everything that gives me joy."

Brandon, she said, is the perfect fit for her gifts and her dreams.

"Brandon is a lovely town. It has the warmth and coziness of what I'm looking for in family suburbia - but we can easily stretch our wings to everything Tampa."

Faith is a key element of Davis' approach.

"Every day I start by asking God to guide my journey," she said. "I give this back to God, a place that's special for all human beings."

The business is closed on Sundays to honor the day of worship, similar to a policy followed by the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain.

"I gave away a large party just yesterday," Davis said. "But it warmed my heart to be able to do that. I've always admired how Chick-fil-A honors God that way."

Davis is pleased with the support and encouragement she receives from the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce. She also recommends new business owners do exhaustive research.

"Research ... as my husband suggested!" Davis said. "It's the little things, talking to other people in the businesses, one thing at a time, prayer, on with the journey."

Business is picking up, with repeat customers beginning to spread the word. "At this point," Davis said, "it's word of mouth."

Bottom line, Davis enjoys having people over.

"Come on in," she said. "Relax and enjoy yourselves. My home is your home."

MEET LYNN DAVIS

BORN: New Jersey, 1962

EDUCATION: Seminole High School, 1980

MOVED TO BRANDON: 1998

MARRIED: Paul Davis, 1989

CHILDREN: Cameron, 15; Olivia, 9

MEMBER: First United Methodist Church, Brandon; Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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