The cafe serves a variety of teas sourced from local company Tea in Texas as well as pastries and food items made in house. Owner Tami Zimmerman said before opening the cafe in April 2021, she had always dreamed of cultivating an environment like her shop.
“I wanted something quaint,” Zimmerman said. “Where people could come and bring their friends or their family and ... just enjoy the time.”
Zimmerman has more than 38 years of experience owning and managing businesses in the food industry, she said, which helped her prepare for this venture. It was not until a company she was working for had mass layoffs that she felt it was time to take the plunge.
“It’s been a dream for years, but when you are gainfully employed and have a good job with good benefits, you don’t just leave that,” Zimmerman said. “Once I was not working, I thought, ‘You know what, maybe this is a sign that it’s time to pursue the dream.’”
The shop is also filled with antiques and home decor items, which are available for sale. Zimmerman said her love of historical items runs in the family: Her brothers and sisters have also sold antiques, and she ran an antiques shop prior to opening Sweet Inspirations.
To pair with the teas, Sweet Inspirations has a full food menu of brunch and lunch items, such as soups, sandwiches, salads, quiche, “take-n-bake” casseroles and sweet treats.
“I wanted the menu to be simple enough but still have enough items to cover [everybody],” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman runs the store with the help of Manager Manuel Calderon, who is involved with the day-to-day operations of the store.
With the business’s first anniversary approaching, Zimmerman said looking back, the biggest challenge was opening during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and tackling the delays that came with it.
Despite the obstacles, however, Zimmerman has savored many sweet moments at her shop, she said, with some of her favorite being able to share in customers’ milestones. The cafe regularly hosts events such as baby showers, bridal showers and birthday parties, which customers can book in advance.
“I think some of the proudest moments that I see [are when] these people come in and do their big baby showers or bridal showers, whatever they’re doing, to see how they turn out and know that people left happy with their experience here,” Zimmerman said.
Sweet Inspirations Tea Room, Cafe and Gifts
6054 FM 2920, Spring
346-351-2144
www.mysweetestinspiration.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sun.
