A family poses with Santa at the first of three “Santa Saturdays” at the Old Mill English Tea Room.
Photo credit: Nancy Knorr
SOMERS — The Old Mill English Tea Room is spreading some holiday cheer with their Santa Saturdays on Dec. 14 and 21 from noon to 2 p.m. People can come in, have their pictures taken and share a cup of tea with the Christmas icon.
“We were completely booked on Dec. 7,” said Owner Nancy Knorr after the first Santa Saturdays occurred. “This is our fourth year doing Santa Saturdays. It’s a magical time of year and the home is completely decorated for the holidays.”
She continued, “I really enjoy having young people come into the tearoom. I reflect back on my memories as a young child with my grandmother and the experience of tea and the small sandwiches. Everything about that stayed with me for a lifetime. It’s a tradition I’m establishing and something that I hope that people will remember.”
The Old Mill English Tea Room is located at 63 Maple St. They host birthday parties, bridal showers, baby showers, retirement parties and other events. Their menu includes finger sandwiches, scones, crepes, quiche, baked goods, and an assortment of teas. The house is filled with antiques, Knorr’s family memorabilia and a life-size cutout of Queen Elizabeth.
The house itself was built in 1860 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built for George Converse and his family and remained in that family with various members living there until it was sold to Robert Keeney, Jr., the grandson of Lafayette Keeney, the founder of the Somersville Manufacturing Company after War World II.
Knorr has been in the entertainment industry and traveled the world for the last 40 years before the coronavirus pandemic. She shared the stage with Frank Sinatra, Toni Tennile, Bobby Rydell, Jack Jones, Shirley Jones, Hal Linden, Doc Severinsen, The Four Aces and The Letterman and The Manhattan Transfer. She is also the owner of the legendary trademarks of The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductee, The Pied Pipers.
Knorr dreamed of opening a traditional English Tea Room. Her English heritage and background coupled with her visiting tea rooms throughout the country served as her inspiration for the Old Mill English Tea Room.
“I purchased the house five years ago,” said Knorr. “It took two and a half years to completely redo the home into a tea room and we opened it three years ago. People are loving tea. They’re traveling all around from the tri-state area, and it’s become an international destination.”
She went on to say, “It’s mind-blowing to me as to how far it’s come in a short three years and how the word has gotten out. What I would like guests to takeaway with them as they leave the Old Mill English Tea Room would be an enjoyable and memorable experience of joy and peace with a touch of elegance.”
For those who are interested in attending Santa Saturdays, call Knorr at 860-999-1399 for reservations.
The Old English Mill Tea Room is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information, visit their website at theoldmillenglishtearoom.com.
