When you hear the phrase, “paint the roses,” you might just think back to Disney’s Alice in Wonderland.
“We’re painting the roses red,” they sang while coloring the white roses red for the Queen.
However, the only thing the borough business Paint the Roses Tea Room has in common with the Lewis Carroll story is that in both of them, you can enjoy a tea party.
“We thought about going with the Alice in Wonderland theme, but we thought it would be a little over the top, so we just let people ask [about the name],” said Mikl Hajek, who is part owner, manager and chef at the new tea room.
The South Brunswick resident , along with his wife Jimena, daughter Cidney and mother-in-law Adriana Shah of Westwood, decided to open the tea room after years of working in the food and restaurant business.
“I have been cooking since I was 15,” Hajek said. “After experience with restaurants and other businesses, and my current company Catalina Snacks, Co., my mother-in-law thought we would be able to open our own café-like business.”
Paint the Roses took over the previous tea business, Le Chardon, keeping similar menu items and tea selections, working to continue the quaint feel of Scotswoman Carol Boyle’s tea room.
Boyle, a Scotland native, opened Le Chardon in spring 2011, bringing British tea and delights to Hopewell. After Boyle’s business closed this past Spring, Paint the Roses opened their doors on June 9, and held their grand opening, Lib-er-tea Par-tea, in conjunction with their tea provider Tea For All, on July 22.
“In a small town like Hopewell, people expect certain things from local cafes,” Hajek said. “We wanted to keep the comfortable environment and the unique selection of teas and sandwiches that are offered.”
Customers are encouraged to come into the renovated home for breakfast, lunch and dessert and can order the normal tea and coffee, but are also offered a selection of hot and cold teas that range from a chocolate raspberry black tea to a pear spice white tea blend. While sipping on a cup of tea, guests are encouraged to try the tea room’s most popular sandwich as well – a turkey and avocado panini, made by Hajek himself.
“There are very few tea rooms around,” Hajek said. “It’s a whole different culture – tea people expect a certain type of atmosphere and service, and we want to offer that.”
Local businesses along Broad Street have taken to the new tea room’s atmosphere and menu, as well. Paint the Roses’ neighbors, such as Mahbubeh’s Antiques and Collectibles and owners and employees of art galleries and other small shops frequent the tea room, according to Hajek.
“We have pretty good loyalty within the area,” said Hajek. “It’s great in a small town like this that we all frequent each other’s businesses. We’re happy about that.”
With the positive feedback from Hopewell customers, Hajek said he would eventually expand the business to offer more menu items, as well as other locations in the future. However, for right now, Hajek and his family are just looking to offer a place for people to enjoy a cup of tea.
Paint the Roses is located at 37 Broad St., Hopewell, and is open Tuesday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Mondays. For more information, call (609)-466-8200 or visit Facebook.com/painttherosestearoom.
Paint the Roses Tea Room has a cozy interior made for sipping and talking. (Photo courtesy of Paint the Roses.)
Paint the Roses Tea Room has a homey look outside and in. (Photo by Hilarey Wojtowicz.)
