Just inside The Parsonage in Downtown Jonesboro is a quaint new addition to Jonesboro’s expanding eats and treats offerings. Owners Chef John and Ramey Myers recently debuted The Holly Blossom Tea Room, an elegant, traditional Southern take on the authentic British afternoon tea experience, accompanied by delicate pastries and other treats for which The Parsonage is well-known and loved.

The Holly Blossom Tea Room opened last summer after Ramey decided to bring one of her favorite traditions from her travels to her own backyard. 

“Living in Europe inspired me to bring a traditional British afternoon tea experience to Jonesboro,” said Ramey, who lived abroad for three years. “I fell in love with the idea of stopping in the middle of the day to slow down, enjoy a little peace and truly enjoy the company around you. I wanted to create a place in Downtown Jonesboro where people could experience that same feeling here at The Holly Blossom Tea Room.”

The Holly Blossom Tea Room was lovingly named in honor of Ramey's sister, Holly, who passed away 11 years ago.

“I was fretting for days over what to name it, and it truly hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Ramey. “I must name it after that sweet girl, Holly.  She was everything to me, and it thrills me beyond belief to be able to say that special name daily. I loved her with all of my heart.”

The Holly Blossom launched within The Parsonage, and the couple works hand-in-hand to create special dining experiences for their patrons. The owners hope it has brought another layer of charm and uniqueness to Downtown Jonesboro, giving both locals and visitors something unexpected and memorable to truly experience and enjoy.

“The Parsonage and The Holly Blossom Tea Room truly complement each other beautifully,” said Ramey. “The Parsonage is known for comfort food and warm hospitality, while The Holly Blossom offers a more elevated and immersive experience with the same heartfelt hospitality. They really are two completely different experiences under one historic roof.”

The tearoom offers afternoon seating reservations Thursday through Sunday, both in the lower tearoom and in the upstairs dining area. The owners hope that the experience blends vintage charm, floral touches and a welcoming atmosphere that feels both refined and intimate. 

“A lot of hard work, creativity and perseverance went into making this dream a reality,” said Ramey. “We transformed this 100-year-old building into something truly enchanting, from carefully selecting every detail, from the tea settings and floral touches to the perfect tea selections themselves. Chef John brought his incredible culinary talent, while I focused on the atmosphere and overall vision. Together, we poured ourselves into creating something truly special for Downtown Jonesboro at The Holly Blossom Tea Room.”

The formal tea experience includes a thoughtfully curated tea service featuring premium blends from Teaoli, local honey from Culp Honey and small-batch jams from Reagan Hills. Each seating includes tiers of delicate finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones with clotted cream and handcrafted desserts prepared by Chef John.

“Pulling from my younger years growing up exposed to regional Southern comfort food and then drawing on my years of classical food experiences allows me a vast world of culinary knowledge,” said John. “Then the trick is to decide what pairs both seasonally and with what I have available. … 

“Our warm scones with clotted cream, lemon curd and local jams are probably one of the most talked-about items. Guests are often surprised by how authentic and comforting they are. Our tea selection has also become a huge part of the experience, especially flavors like Tropical Rainforest Green Tea, Picasso Blue Black Tea, Peach Apricot Green Tea, and our French Caramel Crème Brûlée Rooibos. As far as unique items, people really love the visual beauty of the tiered trays and the rotating seasonal desserts.”

Kandace Barrett is already a frequent customer of The Holly Blossom. She was a customer on the tearoom’s opening day with her mother, Sharon Phillips, and has since been back for a mommy-and-me tea with her daughter, River Lea, and another time with her sister, Taylor Phillips, and niece, Novah Jefferson, along with her daughter.

“Each visit (was) special in its own way,” said Barrett. “I think we enjoy the pace and the atmosphere most. You really can take your time and enjoy the experience. You can tell that the decor and all the little details were thoughtfully curated and intentional. Details like the themed shaped sugar cubes down to the unique tea sets for each table. It’s so Ramey-coded in all the best ways.”

Barrett says the establishment offers something that can’t be found anywhere else in Jonesboro, especially an immersive, intimate dining experience.

“The Holly Blossom Tea Room was so highly anticipated because it offers such a unique experience, and I truly mean an experience,” she said. “Most places you dine are simply that, a meal out. The tearoom engages all five senses and creates something much more immersive. There really isn’t another establishment offering this level of service, detail and intentionality. I also love the exclusivity of it. With limited seating, it truly feels like a special occasion every time you’re able to snag a table. It really is a, ‘If you snooze, you lose,’ kind of situation. 

“There are not many places anymore that inspire people to genuinely dress up and step into a different atmosphere, almost like being transported to a London tearoom. We love a good hat, pashmina and kitten heel moment, and The Holly Blossom Tea Room is absolutely the place to show it off.”

That feeling and the experience are exactly what John and Ramey were hoping to create with The Holly Blossom Tea Room.

“It feels like stepping into another world for a couple of hours,” said Ramey. “From the moment guests walk in, they’re surrounded by soft florals, vintage touches, beautiful tea ware, music and carefully prepared courses served traditionally over three courses. It’s elegant without feeling intimidating. It’s relaxed and slower paced. Guests often tell us they lose track of time while they’re here, and honestly, that’s exactly what we hoped for.

“Our biggest goal was to create an experience. We wanted people to slow down, reconnect, celebrate, laugh, relax and feel transported for a little while. So much of dining has become rushed, and we intentionally wanted this to feel different. The tearoom is about creating memories. Whether someone comes for a birthday, a bridal shower, a mother-daughter afternoon or simply because they need a peaceful moment, we want them to leave feeling refreshed and cared for.”

Ramey says The Holly Blossom Tea Room has been host to birthdays, weddings, bridal showers, mothers and daughters, senior teas and even guests who simply needed a peaceful escape for a few hours.

A recent Senior Tea for the Brookland graduates planned by mom Nikki Eastin Haughey exceeded all expectations.

“My daughter and I went by ourselves about a month before the tea to see what to expect,” said Haughey. “I left full, excited, happy – heck, I was giddy; it was so perfect. I loved everything about the experience. The food was amazing, the tea was delicious, the service was top notch and a weight lifted off of me because I knew the Senior Tea was going to be like no other. 

“And that’s exactly what it was, a Senior Tea like no other. Over 50 moms and daughters attended the Senior Tea, and everyone left happy and enjoyed such a unique experience. Everyone said they couldn’t believe what all was included for a reasonable price point. Multiple moms told me it was the best event they had been to during their daughter’s time in high school.”

Haughey said that one reason The Holly Blossom experience is so special is the care that the owners take with every customer and every aspect of the tea.

“It’s such a unique experience because there’s nothing like it in our area,” said Haughey. “Ramey has thought of every detail to make this experience so memorable and special. I was just there again this past weekend to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday, and she was in awe. She felt so special and enjoyed everything they had to offer.  

“I did not know (Ramey) prior to planning the Senior Tea, so I was a stranger to her, but from day one of helping me plan such a large event, she made me feel like a friend. She was easy to talk to, answered every question – and there were a lot of questions over three months – was very detailed, and so calming. She made everything feel effortless and easy. I am forever grateful for her kindness. I will be a Holly Blossom Tea girl for life.”

Ramey says that helping their customers make those memories is why she and John created the magical respite in the first place.    

“I love seeing our guests’ faces when they leave The Holly Blossom Tea Room,” said Ramey. “Most don’t quite know what to expect, and then they leave feeling relaxed, joyful and happy. Seeing people slow down, enjoy themselves and truly experience a little peace is the most rewarding part of all of it.

“The Holly Blossom Tea Room is simply the next evolution of what Chef John and I have always hoped to bring to Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas – a place centered around warmth, connection and meaningful experiences. We truly believe culinary hospitality is one of the most beautiful forms of art because it reaches far beyond the plate and touches people emotionally. … We’ve watched it become part of people’s traditions and celebrations already, which has been incredibly rewarding.”

For more information or to make a reservation, find The Holly Blossom Tea Room on Facebook or visit thehollyblossomtearoom.com.