Beloit Daily News:
The Elderberry Tea Room is in familiar hands. The owner of the property, Pat Mannino, is running the business with her daughter Jennifer Davenport.
“It still looks wonderful after all these years. The house is just as beautiful as it ever was. We are excited about being able to restore it and increase business,” Mannino said.
Mannino originally opened the business with partner Frank Thompson 14 years ago. The two started up a gift shop but then added the restaurant a couple years later. Mannino then leased it out to managers in 2005. But after the business closed about a year ago, Mannino decided to step in and reopen the Elderberry Tea Room this past August.
Davenport, a horse lover, was a former manager at The Ledges Stables, until she became a stay-at-home mom. With her children being older, Davenport said she is ready to return to work and can take on the business when her mother eventually retires. Davenport works with the customers, while her mother cooks up homemade quiches, soups and desserts.
Molly’s Attic, the resident gift shop, also is open for business.
“We are super busy. It’s amazing,” Davenport said
Photo by gifrancis