Four Friends Tea Room & Gifts was established 20 years ago in Pearland’s historic Old Townsite.

While the business has changed hands over the years, it has retained its roots and some of its original recipes, including the traditional spice tea that greets each guest who comes through the door.

The latest owner of Four Friends Tea Room is Sherrie Kirby, a stay-at-home mom turned small-business owner who purchased the business four years ago. 

“I was here having lunch with my family, and I had older kids getting ready to go to college. They told me it was for sale, so I decided it was time to jump in and have a business and try to get my kids through college,” Kirby said. 

What started as a calculated financial decision to support her children’s college aspirations grew to become Kirby’s passion. She runs the business with the help of her sister, Joy, who manages the business, and husband, who helps with the bookkeeping. Kirby’s children also wait tables in the summertime.

“One of the things I have enjoyed the most is meeting people and having my regulars literally become like my friends and family to me,” Kirby said.

Kirby continues to serve several of the tea room’s traditional dishes, including its pumpkin bread cream cheese dessert. Kirby has also made her mark on the business by adding new menu items, such as tomato basil soup and white chocolate bread pudding.

The tea room is located in the heart of Pearland just a couple blocks away from Killen’s Barbecue.

“I rent this house, and the man I rent it from lived in it as a child,” Kirby said.

In addition to its historical home, Kirby keeps the tea room stocked with unique porcelain and ceramic tea sets, including bone china and fine china cups. Tea sets are gifted by friends, family and patrons from all over the U.S.

“One of the things that really makes our tea room unique … is the old, historic house and the beautiful china,” Kirby said. “We use beautiful, eclectic china.”