Spring Creek Tea Room is a unique experience
OZARK, MO. – Located in the heart Ozark, Mo., at 107 S. Third Street, is an oasis of delicious food and unique antique, vintage and exciting treasure-shopping experiences galore.
Spring Creek Tea Room and Antiques opened its doors in June 1998. At that time, it was only the antique warehouse acquired and owned by Kerry and Brenda May. At the time, they owned another antique store, River View Antiques, just down the road and off the square in Ozark. The Mays desired to expand their business, owning both businesses for a short time. They eventually sold River View Antiques to concentrate solely on Spring Creek, which was aptly named after Spring Creek, which runs parallel to the large white building, and Spring Street, which used to be the name of the busy Street in front of the building. The name has since changed to 3rd Street. The Tea Room, a creative inspiration birthed from the May’s daughter, was adopted five months later, in November 1998. Thus, the now 25-year-old, locale lunch and shopping treasure, Spring Creek Tea Room & Antiques, was born.
The couple have worked hard to deliver a quality of antique, vintage, and even newer, crafty merchandise. The store is home to 60 booths and many of their booth renters are loyal, long-time antique dealers at the store. They push for a wide variety and frequent turn-over of products. The quality of their merchandise speaks highly to the quality of their clientele, with long-time customers often stopping in for a delicious meal followed by shopping, browsing, and simply getting lost in the romantic nostalgia of yesteryear.
The Tea Room offers daily specials and are well-known for the cold strawberry soup and wide variety of mouth-watering homemade cakes and delicious pies, which are all made in-house by Brenda May. The tearoom starts serving daily at 10:30 a.m., and many of the desserts disappear well before noon.
The restaurant menu is fairly basic, focusing on quality, locally purchased foods and a strict consistency of products.
Spring Creek Tea Room offers fresh and delicious soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
They do carry a variety of soda and other drinks, but since it is a tearoom, there is a uniquely fresh variety of unsweetened tea with a hint of fruit flavor every single day.
They sell their tea grounds in small packages at the check-out counter, due to the popularity of its mildly enticing and thirst-quenching flavor.
Many of the employees at Spring Creek have worked there for years. The lady who runs the front desk once worked at the local WalMart in Ozark, but took a job at Spring Creek 20-plus years ago.
One of the recognizable and friendly waitresses, Emily Moore, has been working at Spring Creek for more than 15 years.
Stepping into Spring Creek (especially in the fall, around the festive holidays), is like walking into a new world…or perhaps an Old World. One decorated with whimsical knickknacks, collectible items, and nostalgic trinkets from the rose-colored “good ole days.”
The food from the tearoom is inviting and delicious. Many non-shoppers come for the delicious sandwiches and desserts.
This business offers a very family-friendly leadership style, hiring high schoolers for a first-time job to the many long-term employees that have simply become part of the May family.
Whether looking for specific one-of-a-kind antique treasures, fun and eye-catching vintage pieces to accommodate unique home decor, eye-catching furniture, nostalgic dishes, vintage jewelry, or just simply browsing for whatever suits ones fancy, Spring Creek will not disappoint.
Located across from the square, off the highly traveled, centrally located, historic Third Street, Spring Creek has have recently expanded its parking options due to the popularity of the tearoom and antique mall.
Spring Creek is a unique Ozarks treasure that has stood the test of time. It has something to offer for everyone, despite age, interest, and the variety of ways one enjoys spending a weekday or weekend afternoon.
