A WINNING TRADITION Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo
Julian Tea & Cottage Arts Celebrates 10
th Anniversary

Above, Jackie Bosworth arranges one out of hundreds of different china patterns available in the tea shop. Photos by Jamey Ritter

By Jim Evans

For more than a century, the King House, built for Clarence King, son of famed Julian gold miner George Valentine King, has sat quietly just one block from Julian’s Main Street — away from the daily hustle and bustle of tourists and local shoppers.

Since 1995, the historic home at 2124 Third St. has been the site of the Julian Tea & Cottage Arts.

“It’s an advantage not being located on Main Street in that the shop generally attracts people having an interest in tea and not the merely curious,” proprietor Edie Seger said.

Seger’s marketing philosophy might seem contrary to the customary way of thinking that exposure is the most important criteria to succeed in business — the familiar adage of location, location, location — but she’s confident that customers will continue to find her as long as she offers quality products and good service.

She must doing something right, because Julian Tea & Cottage Arts just celebrated its 10th anniversary Nov. 2.

A retired schoolteacher and educator for 29 years in Los Angeles, Seger and her husband Jim began visiting the Julian area in 1981, camping in their Volkswagen pop-top camper at Cuyamaca State Park and Heise County Park.

“We saw Julian up close in every season of the year, liked it all and decided to retire here,” she said. “We bought our Pine Hills home in 1989, commuted back and forth to L.A. for two years and finally moved in full-time in 1991.”

Seger had always wanted her own store where she could display her weavings. She enjoyed drinking tea, too, and thus was born the inspiration for Julian Tea & Cottage Arts.

“In the beginning,” she recalled, “the store emphasized retail sales including my handwoven garments and other crafts by local artisans, but in time, we de-emphasized crafts and moved toward tea service and expanded into luncheons.

“Over the years, an interest in tea has grown in me, perhaps fostered by my attraction to British murder mysteries which I dub ‘Tea Cup Mysteries,’ Seger said. “We strive to offer a variety of high-quality products, many tea-related, and serve tea and luncheon in an elegant ambience.

Ramona Rotary December students of the month from left to right: Janet DeSantis and Jessica Glover from Mt. Valley Academy; Yadhira Gutierrez and Christine Hill from Montecito; Nikolus Ray and Robin Brainard from Ramona High; Al Slocum; Nicole Tapp and Rachel Edwards from Sun Valley Charter. Photo Submitted By Al Slocum

“I enjoy interacting with my longtime repeat customers and meeting new people who have just discovered tea and (the experience of) ‘having tea.’”

The tea shop carries a wide variety of the highest quality mugs and serving pieces, infusers, strainers, caddies, trays, towels and teas, including black, oolong, green and herbals. Both regular and decaffeinated teas, bulk and loose teas are available, and a large selection of English china teapots, cups and saucers, cozies — even children’s and miniature tea sets — are colorfully displayed in the main entry.

Several community citizens took pleasure in partaking in the cleanup of a house that was gifted to the Senior Center. This was a joint service club activity which included Rotary, Kiwanis and Soroptomist Clubs.  Photo By Darrel Kinney

The shop also stocks dozens of books describing the varieties of tea, menus and recipes, tea accessories and etiquette. Stationery, greeting cards, Victorian gift books and albums serve to complement the tea theme.

In addition to teas, the shop offers a wide range of English china, silver items, linens, ceramics, children’s and baby gifts. Gift baskets are available for holidays or special occasions — or just because.

The Segers lost a guest house and several acres of trees during the Cedar fire in 2003, but their main house was spared. The tea shop survived the fire along with the rest of downtown Julian but was closed for two weeks because the lack of power. However, “business bounced back to normal levels within just a few weeks and now is doing better than ever,” Seger said.

Julian Tea and Cottage Arts conducts special events in the Tea Room, including birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, bridal showers, baby showers, retirement parties, groups on retreat, groups on tour, or groups that just want to get together. A special menu is available for such events, and visitors are encouraged to call early to schedule an available date.

And how does Seger feel about her shop after 10 years?

“I enjoy working in the shop just as much as ever, although I must confess my energy level is not quite as high as it used to be,” she said. “I am grateful for a wonderful, helpful staff, most of whom have worked with me for many years.”

For more information about Julian Tea & Cottage Arts, visit their Web site at www.juliantea.com. Ten years and counting — the tradition continues.

Photo By Carol Kinney

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce held its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 10. The winter event had a record number crowd who enjoyed and partook in the many festivities.The tree lighting featured the giant 45 ft. multi-light tree and 12 individually decorated trees by elementary schools. Children and their families enjoyed hayrides and had pictures taken with Santa.  Photos By Carol Kinney and John Jones Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC) board members presented County Supervisor Dianne Jacob with a plaque for providing community project funds to the local “bleacher project.” The funds replaced the old wood bleachers at the Fred Grand Arena with new aluminum seating. Left to right: Intermountain Fire Chief Cary Coleman and President John York accept a $15,000 check from Golden Eagle Ranch owner, Larry Mabee, to match against the $15,000 awarded to Intermountain by the San Diego Fire Foundation for refurbishment of three of their engines.  Photo By Paula Payne