NEW! Her Secret Garden.Net

Her Secret Garden Tea Room and Gift Shop Goes Global with Website Launch

I-SYTES, Inc, designed and launched Rockwall's Her Secret Garden's first new website HerSecretGarden.net, which provides details about the location, reservation forms for private events to listing our daily menu with prices.

Her Secret Garden Tea Room and Gift Shop Website

"The website also has a quick sign up form for those local patrons and tourists to receive information on special offers, tea tastings, news and features related to the Tea Room,” said Adrienne Hill, creative owner of I-SYTES, Inc. “The website also includes a unique reservation form for those who would like to have a private tea party. Or an opportunity to have specific food served at their special event. We think the guests will love the interaction and personalization."

We will send out press releases to our local papers and invitations to our patrons to encourage them of the new exciting changes.

I believe that promoting the Tea Room online will give business and our local residents more information. This will ensure that the tea room and gift shop will also tap into the growing internet market. Especially, for those that are doing searches online for event theme ideas, brides looking to do something small for their bridal shower, private catering in a southern charm venue or a spot to go with your girls for brunch during the week.

Research proves that people are looking for affordable eateries to go where they serve their favorite foods to the hospitality. By being more open online to share our menu, our location and offer special incentives are things that new patrons will be more likely to come out for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea.

"Being online will be more convenient for those that are looking for specific service to being in the mood for afternoon tea. Her Secret Garden is listed on several directories such as the Urban Spoon, Insider Pages, Tea Map and Tea Guides. In this generation, people use the internet for just about everything, specifically for directions, contact info, menu and price listings; eventually, Her Secret Garden won't stay a secret anymore..." said Adrienne. "For the most part in speaking with Diane about what she was looking for in a website. It was more about the love that she has for people. And she wanted to promote a place where those who have heavy burdens could come, eat and rest. To just be in a place where you can feel at peace. A place where you feel invited and not just another patron like at a drive-thru fast food joint."

The website has been designed to be not just an online brochure. I am hoping to be able to keep our patrons constantly updated with Her Secret Garden news, reviews, new menu items and also related offers and special events. It doesn’t matter whether you are a tea lady or are looking for the latest offer, the website really will be a great way to interact with our patrons in Rockwall.

When I first saw this site I was really impressed! We really believe more and more people are looking online for this type of information and we intend to promote our special offers on the website and through our email blasts. It’s great to see such a professional looking website in Rockwall, Texas. Even though, we have had a couple of physical address changes I believe that the website will give people the right direction to find us in the historic district.

When asked about the future success of Her Secret Garden Tea Room and Gift Shop...well, I am pleased to say that we have an exciting future ahead of us. I believe that God has great plans for our future and I see that we will be used in a greater way as a place for our local ministries, small groups, Red Hat Society members and other types to use our venue as a place to meet for brunch, lunch, private catering to afternoon tea. We will be expanding our kitchen for the increase as well as adding new daily menu items to special gift sales.

For those reading, please leave your comments and join our email database by clicking here . We want to hear from our beloved patrons to share their experience so that we can post them online for others to read.

God Bless,

Diane Palermo

Owner of Her Secret Garden Tea Room and Gift Shop

The Origin of Tea Time

Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861)

Ever wonder how "Afternoon Tea" started?

Prior to the introduction of tea into Britain, the English had two main meals, breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was ale, bread, and beef.

During the middle of the eighteenth century, dinner for the upper and middle classes had shifted from noontime to an evening meal that was served at a fashionable late hour. Dinner was a long, massive meal at the end of the day.

Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861) is credited as the creator of teatime. Because the noon meal had beco me skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon.

At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." 

The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

Belvoir Castle

During the second half of the Victorian Period, known as the Industrial Revolution, working families would return home tired and exhausted. The table would be set with any manner of meats, bread, butter, pickles, cheese and of course tea. You would not see any of the dainty finger sandwiches, scones and pastries of afternoon tea. Because it was eaten at a high, dining table rather than the low tea tables, it was eventually called "high" tea.

God Bless,

Diane Palermo

Owner of Rockwall's Best Kept Secret

The Best Kept Secret in Rockwall

When I think about how "Her Secret Garden" started and all the miracles that took place in order for me to open the doors it truly takes my breath away. I thank God for His amazing provisions and inspirations.

A dear friend of mine gave me the name "Her Secret Garden." It all centered around being the best kept secret in Rockwall, Texas.

 

As the name denotes, I have tried to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. With life and its fast pace, I wanted to give people a pleasant place to slow down and catch their breath.

Originally, we opened in l989 inside a hair salon, just as a small boutique. One year later, I opened the doors to a 2000 square foot gift store. Three years later, I replaced half my store with tables and ventured out into the tea room business.  

 

It was all very new for me to venture into hospitality. But I enjoy entertaining and serving people in my own home and I thought it would be great to create a warm inviting place for people to have lunch. I could be just as gracious and hospitable. What most people never saw was the late nights that I would work to replace all the food that had been sold earlier that day...sometimes into the wee morning! Over the years, the tea room began to be the predominate source of attraction. Although, everyone loved to be able to come eat and shop so I continued to maintain the tea room and stock the gift shop.

 

It was the hardest day of my life when I had to close my doors due to an unexpected increase in my lease agreement that I felt like my baby had just died. A close friend reminded me, "When God closes a door, He opens another..." and that is just what He did. Suddenly, I got the call that 203 S. Fannin St. was available. The owner of the property was wanting to put a tea room in that location.

Nine months later, we took over the new location to paint and remodel. We had a successful grand opening with an astounding response! Returning patrons showed they still loved us and expressed that they were glad we were back.

 

I owe so much to the faithful customers who keep coming back and bringing their friends to have lunch. They have become in a sense a part of my family. We always enjoy seeing our regular customers and making them feel right at home. I love it when they come in and need a hug that I can take the time to give them one. I hope that they know that they are appreciated and are loved very much. I always pray that someone would be touched or made to feel special when they walk through the doors.

 

It brings a lot of love, satisfaction and fulfillment to entertain and cook for others. When I see that my customers are enjoying the place and the dishes served it makes it worthwhile. There is nothing more satisfying than being a blessing to another. Thank you to our friends and family! Look forward to see our first website that will feature our menu, a photo gallery and our services. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter which will inform you of our upcoming events, special incentives, brunch discounts and more!

God Bless,

Diane Palermo

Owner of Rockwall's Best Kept Secret