Learn More about Sykesville during History Tea July 12

By Cassie Felch
Posted: June 30, 2009

Sisters Robyn Zumbrun and Lisa Meyer, owners of Sweet Simplici-Tea tearoom, invite you to learn more about Sykesville during their History Tea celebration July 12 at noon (with a 2 p.m. seating if demand necessitates). The event begins with a Royal Tea and concludes with a walking tour of the town, guided by local historian Kari Greenwalt.

Sweet Simplici-Tea celebrated its first anniversary June 14. For years, Robyn, a resident of Baltimore County, collected china, linens, teapots, pictures, and curios in hopes of one day opening her own tearoom. However, she did not share her aspirations with others until her birthday in November 2007, when her father gave her a charming pink and white Lenox teapot. That gift triggered a quest to realize her dream, so she and Lisa began looking for a shop location. Ultimately, they settled in at 7520 Main St., in Sykesville.

The sisters enjoy a terrific working relationship and demonstrate a natural division of talent. Lisa, an Ellicott City resident, once worked in the mortgage field and thus handles the business aspects of the tearoom. She also runs the day-to-day operations, functioning as hostess and server. Robyn, on the other hand, acts as the creative and culinary force behind the scenes. She currently maintains her position as an operating room nurse but hopes to one day join her sister full-time in the tearoom. Both enjoy the people they meet and the friendships they make in their new endeavor.

One of their regular customers, Pat Greenwald (no relation to Kari Greenwalt), lives on the Howard County side of Sykesville and works as the coordinator for the Historic Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse. She explains that the schoolhouse “served children of color from Howard and Carroll Counties from 1904 until 1939.” Although fully restored, this interesting part of our local history still requires funds for utilities and for educating our area youth about the facility.

To help raise money in support of the Schoolhouse, Robyn and Lisa have pulled together a Longaberger basket filled with tea-related goodies and are accepting donations of $3 for a chance to win, or $10 for four chances. They will draw the winner’s name during the History Tea.

To reserve a seat for this special tea, call 410-549-7676, or go to www.sweetsimplicitea.com for more information.

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