It's official. We are actually doing this. It's been years in the dreaming about, months in the preparation for and a few weeks into the birthing of. Pippa's Real Tea will be open soon, which is as much as I'm allowed to say on the touchy subject of (ahem) an opening date. The brown paper is up in the window which really annoys me when I see it in other people's stores. I always try to find a gap or hole so I can peek in and see what's going on. I like to see not just the end result - Ta Da! - but how it got to be that way. The slow transformation from one thing to another. I hate magic wands. Cinderella was a big bust. I want to see the sawdust on the floor, the exposed wiring, the gaping holes where who knows what is going to go.
So, for those of you who are wondering or - let's be honest - are just nosey like me, this blog is the hole in the brown paper that will let you peek in and see what's happening. And if you happen to run into Dan and maybe casually ask him about an opening date and he gives you an actual answer, can you please let me know?
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| 636 Water Street, PT, WA, next door to Salal Cafe |
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| Don't you just hate brown paper? Come on inside and take a look .... |
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| Old fixtures just inside the front window looking towards the back. |
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| Old bathroom and storage closet in the middle of the store. |
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| Dan having big discussions with Adam our carpenter and assistant Ross. |
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| More big discussions. |
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| Enough with the discussions! |
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| Let's smash something. |
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| And something else. |
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| Much better - more light comes in (until the brown paper goes up.) |
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| No more old bathroom and storage closet. |
Coming next time: The framing goes up, the shrubs come out, the Executive Loo goes in. In the meantime my obsession with Mexican Beach Pebbles grows, Dan's hearing becomes even more selective and the war on green algae gets set to go guerrilla.
And stay tuned: Soon we'll be launching our PRT Customer Adoration page where we'll throw all sorts of goodies at you, absolutely none of which will be fattening, addicting or stop you from achieving the perfect downward facing dog.
Yay Pippa! How thrilling! Looks great so far. Congratulations. And love to you and Dan -- Gillian
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian. When are you coming out west to visit?
DeleteI don't know when I'll be coming out there, but these pictures make me want to visit soon soon soon. Looks great. Are you really getting a fireplace like that? And how is it that Hilary is about to leave her teen years??!? Thanks for the great updates. gxx
DeleteOoooo. Fun! I wanna smash something!
ReplyDeleteFond memories of sunny teatimes in your tiny Greenwich Village kitchen: aromas of cakes and scones, toddlers and puppies at our feet. Now the greater tea community will have what friend's and family have enjoyed for a lifetime: the comfort of Pippa's Real Tea! I raise my morning cup of Ceylon OP to you and Dan! Cheers!!!
And I raise my morning cup of Assam TGFOP to you!
DeleteIt won't be long now! You guys are doing a great job. We're looking forward to the grand opening! Cheers,
ReplyDeleteSam & Pat
Thank yo - and your lovely Chinese Tea display cases will really class the joint up!
DeleteYes, a dream comes true!! I spent months obsessing about mexican beach pebbles, and the alternatives. Miss and love you more. Kisses for my cousin.
ReplyDeleteAnd what did you end up choosing? Should have come to you first, but then I'd miss the obsessing part. WHEN are you coming to see us?? Love to you and Miss Alice.
DeleteHey Pip!
ReplyDeleteHallelujah!
So happy to read about, and see your progress with making "Real Tea" a "reality". Whenever I discuss your journey, I describe the days of your presentations at Baladucci's and how amazing you were while producing delicious scones in that closet/kitchen in your Christopher St. apartment, NY .My sister, your Mom, would be so proud of you! We will follow your success story with great admiration and interest...
Hugs to you and Dan,
Much love,
Elaine and Richard
Thanks so much Elaine and "Ritzard" - you'll need to come see for yourself and this time no ice storms please!
DeleteAwesome! It's great to see things coming together.
ReplyDeleteMike.
Hey Mike, thanks for sticking with me. You're the best.
DeleteI'm sorry, but I need to see the menu taped to the front. Do you offer free delivery? Congratulations! We're really excited for you. Please send us a take-out menu.
ReplyDeleteSure lady! Free delivery! Brooklyn NY no problem! No charge for you nice lady! (Brian has to pay however)
DeleteHi darling Pippa and Dan---this is a great fun site! We'll see each other soon and catch up on plans. Getting exciting, isn't it?!? Good for you---pursuing your dream full-force :)
ReplyDeleteLinda Livingston
Thanks Linda. Looking forward to having you on board - help!
DeleteSo glad to see this blog up and running ... you are so good at this and I truly enjoy and look forward to new postings.
ReplyDeleteIt is exciting to see everything coming together so beautifully. You make it look easy but, I know how much focus to details there is on everything you and Dan have undertaken. It is poetry in motion to watch you two bring it about.
Can't wait to spend time in there tasting all kinds of tea!
Judith
You are such a sweetie. I think you'd reconsider the poetry in motion bit if you saw me attacking the green algae. So glad you're back. See you both Friday.
DeleteThanks so much for allowing us a peak into your dream. I can already imagine the smell of fresh baked scones drifting upward through the layers of history of the Franklin House and into our new home. Yes I am inspired. Plan on doing a practice run with my "Mini Cinnies" this weekend.
ReplyDeleteClaudia
What time should I be there for guinea pig duty?
DeleteToday, April 1st, 2012 (and this is no April Fools joke) I spotted an elusive Northwestern Green Algae Wood Sprite in the back garden of the Franklin House. For those of you who don't know, the Green Algae Wood Sprite is similar to the Tree Sprite except the Tree Sprite carries brilliant colors of pixie dust in its pockets to change the color of the tree leaves, while the Wood Sprite carries a long handled wooden brush, drags a green garden hose, and sprays some mysterious potion from a large can that with seemingly little effort "magically" changes the slimy,dark green cedar planking back to a brilliant clean wood look. Because of this hard working sprite the algae is almost all gone, and we will all soon be able to benefit by visiting the new garden at Pippa's Real Tea House at 634 Water Street in Port Townsend.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you - Mr. or Ms. "Anonymous" - don't you know the penalty for spying on a Green Algae Wood Sprite? A tray of "mini cinnies" should appease her, and/or a pint or two at the pourhouse on Friday. Be there or suffer the consequences which definitely involve long handled wooden brushes.
ReplyDeleteReal Tea Tart,
ReplyDelete1st report from a wanna be "Pippa's Real Tea" baker:
The 1st trial run of the "minnies" occurred last weekend. This batch was actually "skinny minnies" meaning they contained very few real ingredients - no real butter, no real milk, no real sugar. Also, way fewer calories and fat. However, given the experimental nature of this bunch, I was not willing to risk using any of my friends as guinea pigs. Therefore, I used the Green Algae Wood Sprite Spy (serves him right). I made my 1st run on Sunday. It is now Wednesday. With the exception of the two I felt obligated to risk trying as the cook, the spy has eaten all but 3. Apparently they are not poisonous are too dreadfully bland. This weekend I plan on trying the "mini cinnies", which will include all of the REAL stuff but in a much smaller portion. If I am satisfied with the results I will pass out samples. If not, I will continue to experiment on the spy.
"The Experimental Baker"
Dear Experimental Baker,
DeleteI seriously doubt that being forced to eat cinnie anything is much of a punishment. In fact, I think the spy is now confusing sin with cinnie. Stop feeding him immediately and send your next batch over here.
Dearest Pippa,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration you are! So happy to see your dream coming true.
Brooklyn's loss is Pt.Townsend's gain!!
Are you taking any interns (ex-ad exec, middle-aged, fan of tea and Pippa)?
Lots of love and good wishes, Lily & Dave