Royal Tea Room Opens In Shorewood: 'Scones Are Outstanding'

SHOREWOOD, IL — Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, died in 2022 at the age of 96, but her memory is alive and well in Shorewood at the newly opened The Royal Tea Room, located near Route 59 across the street from the Target shopping center.

Friday marked the third day of business for The Royal Tea Room and its owner, Michelle Cunningham. Talk about a career change. Until January, Cunningham worked as a 911 police dispatcher, most recently with WESCOM in Plainfield, and before that with Grundy County and the Oak Lawn Police Department.

"I want this to be just a place of camaraderie and socialization, we're not a Starbucks. It's not a pop in with a laptop. It's a sit-down experience," Cunningham explained.

In October, she and her boyfriend signed the lease to occupy 315 Vertin Boulevard, which is next door to the Asian Express takeout restaurant. Before opening The Royal Tea Room, the building served as a weight loss center. About 10 years ago, this was a Mexican restaurant.

Since Wednesday's opening, The Royal Tea Room has been quite the buzz on Joliet area social media, people have shared photos and positive comments on area Facebook forums.

"In the Joliet area, there is nothing like us at all," Cunningham pointed out.

Cunningham said her mother, who passed away in 2022, was the inspiration for The Royal Tea Room. Over the years, Cunningham said she visited various tea rooms in London and in Ireland and drew upon those experiences in creating her one-of-a-kind business that just opened for Joliet area residents.

Cunningham said the village of Shorewood, particularly economic development director Natalie Engel, were "extremely welcoming and pro-small business people."

"We want people to come here and feel like you're in a totally different world," she told Joliet Patch's editor on Friday. "Savor the time and just slow down."

During Friday's interview, Dr. Ray Orenic and his wife Colleen told Joliet Patch that they can't say enough positive things about their first visit to The Royal Tea Room.

"The scones are outstanding, oh my gosh," Colleen Orenic remarked.

Cunningham said the closest tea room is in Morris, Letty Mae's Tea Room, 112 E. Washington St.

As classical music played softly in the backroom, Patch asked Cunningham to describe her new business for prospective guests?

"We definitely err on the side of traditional," she explained. "It's a Victorian-inspired theme."

The Royal Tea Room offers both a 4-course meal and has a 5-course offering. Meals come with tea, soup, small savory tea sandwiches, scones and small desserts. Cunningham said that traditional afternoon tea time meals often feature cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches and, of course, the scones.

"We do make all our scones in house," she said.

One of the features on the menu is her carrot soup.

"If nothing else, just come in for the carrot soup," she remarked.

Cunningham said she is very proud of her tea offerings.

"I love our teas," she proclaimed. "We have eight teas, herbal, black and green. All of our teas are aromatic and incredibly delicious."

The Royal Tea Room is closed Mondays. Its regular hours are: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Reservations are required for Saturdays and Sundays, she said.

During the week, reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are also accepted.

"We will eventually be doing party packages and large events," Cunningham said.

While many guests are coming for the traditional four and five-course meal, people can also visit to order tea and scones.

On Saturday, March 23, The Royal Tea Room will feature a harpist who comes from Plainfield. She will be playing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In May, The Royal Tea Room will offer a special brunch for Mother's Day.

Since opening three days ago, Cunningham said the reaction to The Royal Tea Room "has been incredibly positive."

"Very, very supportive," she remarked. "We've been very welcomed by the community.

"We don't people to feel intimidated," she continued. "It's a beautiful place, and we want people to feel beautiful while they are here."

To book a reservation or check out the food menu or tea selections, visit the website for The Royal Tea Room.