Delight as tearoom relocates to new prominent location in Stourbridge town centre
The owner of a Stourbridge tearoom has told of her excitement and plans for the future after moving to new, larger premises within the town centre.
Charlie Mainprice has relocated her labour of love, The Sugar Loaf tearoom, from Victoria Passage to a prominent location on the edge of the town’s Ryemarket shopping centre.
The new 3,000 sq ft venture, in the former Delightful Desserts unit next to Coffee#1, was officially opened on Saturday morning (November 1) after six weeks of preparations.
Charlie, who opened the tearoom about a year ago after first running The Truly Scrumptious Boutique gift shop in Victoria Passage, said the move means more space and the ability to cater for more customers with the hope of also re-launching her gift offering.
She also hopes to be able to hold a market type event on Sundays with stalls in the future and has ambitions to refurbish the upstairs floors of the property which she said would be ideal for hosting business meetings and birthday parties.
Charlie said the decision to move was “not an easy one” and she added: “ If I had all the money in the world I’d stay in Victoria Passage and have this one too.”
The move, however, means she can cater for up to 55 customers, whereas the Passage venue only had space for 18 visitors.
She added: “I’d like to think this time next year we’ll be potentially licensed and can do some themed evenings.”
She has also taken on extra staff to help run the new venture - creating a 10-strong team.
Charlie said she believes investment on the way to help regenerate Stourbridge will provide a boost to businesses in the town, especially those in the Fountain Square area.
She went on to praise the team at the Ryemarket for being “really supportive” as she told how she loves to champion local businesses and the town adding: “I’m just trying to make Stourbridge a much better place. I just feel like we need it.
"I've had a lot of sleepless nights - working very, very hard to get this place open. I'm really passionate about Stourbridge and trying to bring something really unique as well to the town."
The Sugar Loaf, located at 4-6 Ryemarket, is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.
