A Note from Jo 
The winds of change~
There’s never a dull moment around here. September seems to have been THE month for re-living the expression “out with the old in with the new.” And that couldn’t be more apparent than in the happenings going on next door to the Tea Room, in my old store formerly known as English Rose Accents.
Well the moment of unveiling has arrived!
Here is what you have all been so curious about. Doors open 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1st. You wont need a Cockney accent to be called a Londoner, just drive up to Carefree and visit our newest addition to the English Rose Tea Room legacy, drum roll please…let me introduce to you my latest venture, jo london.
Now I can proudly say that not only do I own a Tea Room, I also own the best new Brit Shop in the Valley. I am soo excited about it. The new store feels like my house, only it is open to the public!
Here are a few tips needed for a remodel which you can make note of, in case you ever get the crazy urge to re-invent yourself too!
INGREDIENTS FOR A NEW STORE
MOTIVATION
I miss England. The Tea Room provides a wonderful place for lunch and Afternoon Tea, but my ideal escape is to curl up on the settee, with my dogs, reading a good English home décor book in front of a cozy fire. (mmm, I know, a challenge when its 95 degrees outside) Well anyway, why not fill up a store with all the things I miss about my home country, and love to have in my own house? So I did. Yes, a British style store… in Arizona of all places.
MANPOWER
I needed – a stone mason, an electrician, a plumber, a painter, an AC expert, a roofer, a graphic designer, a carpenter, a window cleaner, an awning specialist, a flooring specialist, a great team of staff, a good friend…and, most important of all, a patient husband.
MERCHANDISE
British memorabilia, lots of vintage quirky collections, doggie stuff (Brits love dogs more than some people they know), old pine boxes, comfy couches, union jack flag pillows, handmade jewelry, ‘ made in England’ home décor, funny cards, potting shed finds and a big kitchen table brimming with seasonal goodies.
MARGARET
(Actually her name is Peg but I’m trying to keep the ‘M’ thing going on here). Peg has been an inspiration to me in the development of the store. She is now officially our Creative Director and has been invaluable to me and the business in getting the doors open. I don’t think there is a barcode she is not personally familiar with, or a British blog site she hasn’t read. As we’d say in London, “she’s a diamond geezer.”
So, if this has whetted your appetite, please stop in and say hi on October 1st, when we will show you what we have been hiding for the last four weeks.
Cheers and Cheerio!
Jo
Jo Gemmill
Owner
English Rose Tea Room and jo london
PO Box 5865, Carefree, AZ 85377
480-488-4812/480-488-1162
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