Plans to re-open Angie’s Tea Garden after city does rehab work
A group of women has kicked off a plan to bring Angie’s Tea Garden back to downtown Jefferson.
Spurred on by the realization that the absence of this iconic tea room in the community was having an impact on other businesses, many of them women-owned, a core band of local women investigated the possibility of making this a reality. They knew that tour busses, carloads of visitors, families and friends would again travel to Jefferson to eat, shop and enjoy the many attractions if it reopened. Tea rooms are unique and after 19 years in business, Angie’s Teagarden had garnered quite a reputation.
Angie’s Tea Garden closed in February 2019 after sustaining water damage. The initial group of women approached Angie Petersen, owner of the tea room, to ask if she was interested in bringing her business back to town. She indicated she missed her many customers, wanted to return, and would make a long term commitment.
The women involved had the unique idea to cooperatively own a property for the benefit of the community. Their goal was to secure a commitment from 30 women. The number of women willing to be involved quickly grew to 40 and now stands at 48. This rapid increase conveys their can-do attitude in taking on a project that will have a positive impact on the entire community. Why Not Us was chosen as the group’s name.
This initial group looked at other downtown locations for Angie’s Tea Garden, but after the city council indicated they would be interested in saving the corner building at 100 E State, the decision was made for Why Not Us to work with the city on this property.
A board of directors and officers were elected at the initial meeting of the group on Dec. 3. Board members include Peg Raney, Rita Pedersen, Debra McGinn, Carol Zwicky, Jeanne Myers, Karen Voge-Perkins, Shirley Stapleton, Ruth Freeman, Ginny Showman and Jacque Andrew. Other women interested in being involved are welcome to contact any of these women for more information.
