Jamie Yang supports women, welcomes children at Sherwood Tea House

Yang says her clientele is “99 percent” female, and she likens it to old-fashioned tea societies, where women would meet at tea houses while men would gather at saloons

By Kristen Forbes

The Times, May 29, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

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Another thing that was important to Yang was to create a child-friendly environment, both so her own children would be welcome and in recognition that most of her potential customers would have kids as well. She thinks that tea houses can play into anyone’s inner child fantasy of dressing up and having tea parties, so it naturally makes sense to include children in the process.

Yang was born and raised in Ohio then resided in California before moving to Oregon. She says the switch to Oregon was a welcome relief, both financially and because the people here are welcoming and accepting.

“I grew up in a very dense Italian population in Akron. I talked with my hands. I ate spaghetti. I had fettuccine fingers. I look Asian, but I’m Italian-raised. I have that personality. In California, it seems like that was way too much for people. I talk with my hands, I’m loud, and it’s very uncharacteristic for an Asian. But when I came out to Oregon, people were so friendly. I like to stand in the grocery line and read all the headlines and then comment to the person next to me. And here, they’ll comment back to me,” she says.

She is especially proud to be a part of the Sherwood community.

“I come in from Portland and I slowly drive into my own little personal town. It’s like a time zone, warp zone. As soon as I step over the Sherwood boundaries – if I stop anywhere, like the gas station or Safeway or Albertsons or the post office – everyone knows everyone. It’s like a Jim Carrey movie: ‘hey, hello, good evening.’ Everyone comes out to talk to you. It’s so Mayberry that when you feel down, someone comes out to pump you back up.”

Yang was recently elected president of Old Town Sherwood. As such, she “supports other business owners by voicing our wants and needs and facilitating meetings here at the tea house.”

The Lavender Tea House is about to undergo a major renovation, which will close its doors for three months, starting in June. When it reopens in September, it will be able to support much larger groups, which will be helpful when accommodating increasingly popular bridal and baby showers.

In the meantime, Lavender Tea House is presenting Social Graces & Etiquette Camp for 7- to 13-year-olds and Modern Manners & Etiquette Camp for 11- to 17-year-olds at Ainsworth House & Gardens in Oregon City throughout the summer. Information about dates and pricing can be found on the Lavender Tea House Web site, www.lavenderteahouse.com.

During the closure, Yang will continue with the bakery consignment project. Lavender Tea House scones are currently being sold at several Sherwood locations – Myles Away Café & Playhouse, Eye Love Coffee (also known as Eye Impressions) and ABBA Day Spa.

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