By Olivia DeWan, contributor
Throughout October, by reservation only on Fridays and Saturdays, Blue Ridge Florist & Tea Room has turned its bright pink space into a whimsical Halloween wonderland affectionately called “Spooktacular Tea.”
“We redecorate the space depending on the holiday season,” Jennifer Phillips, floral designer and owner of Blue Ridge Florist & Tea Room, said. “We even offer ghost cookies, little tarts with spider webs, and fall flavors.”
Collaborating with Bittersweet Bakery in Harrisonburg, the Tea Room has created an array of Halloween-inspired pastries and desserts for the Halloween season.
“The food is fantastic, and the ladies that serve make it such a welcoming and warm experience,” Jennifer Hinkle, a wedding floral arrangement assistant, said. “They really want you to enjoy and take your time to relax.”
Stringy spider webs, black candles, and paper bats dangling from the ceiling welcome guests who flock to Blue Ridge Florist & Tea Room for Phillips’ unique selection of floral teas.
“Since we are also a floral shop, we really wanted to play with floral teas,” Phillips said. “We partner with a local grower who grows edible flowers, and we will even put little flowers in our ice cubes.”
Since opening in 2022, the Tea Room has become a venue for a variety of creative events from “Bridgerton” themed parties to weddings, and Girl Scout gatherings where participants earn their tea etiquette badges.
“We have the space and we rent it to people so they can do whatever they want with it,” Phillips said. “A girl from Charlottesville contacted me and said she wanted to do a Bridgerton themed birthday party. They all came in full Bridgerton attire with games and music, and it was great to show people what they can do with the space.”
The Tea Room also hosts wreath-making classes called “CreativTEA.”
“I think people come in and they tend to make it their own,” Hinkle said. “I’ve seen grandmothers bring their granddaughters, and that is such a core memory moment for those little girls.”
The Tea Room thrives on creativity. Not only the staff, who transform the space for every holiday season, but also the creativity of their guests who bring their own flair to every event.
“It’s just a very calm, soothing environment,” Hinkle said. “It’s something that people really enjoy. Not even just older generations, but younger ones, too. It’s something for all ages.”
The Spooktacular Tea provides the Harrisonburg community with a unique, family-friendly Halloween experience. For those who cannot make a reservation, the Tea Room also hosts “Tea and Scones Tuesdays” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when guests can drop in without a reservation and still enjoy the Spooktacular Tea decorations.
“When we decorated the space, we didn’t want it to be a scary, bloody, creepy Halloween,” Phillips said. “We really wanted it to be a fun, whimsical take on Halloween. We encourage people to dress up in their costumes, too.”
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