By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
From its beginnings, tea has had a place of honor at Calico Sage & Thyme in Bowling Green.
When tea lover Barb Rothrock opened the shop in 1975 at the corner of Clay and North Main Street in downtown Bowling Green, tea was an important art of her merchandise.
And when Lisa Palmer purchased the business from her in spring, 2016, tea remained in the mix of goods.
Now Palmer is taking the store’s devotion to tea to another level.
Starting on Sept. 1, she will open Tea Thyme, a tea shop in the space on the corner, at 331 North Main St., formerly occupied by Farm Girls, and Happy Badger before that.
“I had this in mind when I bought Calico Sage & Thyme,” Palmer said. “I love going to tea rooms.” She’ll travel to Findlay and Maumee. But “Bowling Green doesn’t have anything like this. “
Palmer bided her time until the space next door became available.
Her love of formal tea dates back to growing up in Bloomdale. “I’d have tea parties.” And she would go with her mother, grandmother, and aunt to tea rooms in neighboring communities.
Now she hopes to connect with her customers who have similar memories, as well as like-minded little girls.
The development is “a natural part of Calico, Sage & Thyme,” she said.
“Proper tea” will be served by reservation Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meal starts with tea and scones then come the sandwiches and assorted desserts. The sandwich will be a signature twist on the cucumber sandwich with cucumber and thyme.
Palmer’s sister-in-law Bethany Eschador will manage Tea Thyme.
She’s has put together packages for birthday tea parties for children 4-12, and for wedding and baby showers.
Other groups, Palmer said, can use the space.
Also available is the room next to the tea room.
This open area will also be available for booking events, and Palmer already has groups scheduled to meet there.
The weekly downtown farmers market is set to move indoors at the location once the outdoor season ends.
Mary Hinkelman, the executive director of Downtown Bowling Green, said vendors and customers alike have been asking for the market to extend into the colder months.
For information, contact Calico Sage & Thyme at (419) 352-5417 or at http://www.calicosageandthyme.com.
