In downtown Chester, a much-loved tea shop and restaurant has remained a staple for more than 30 years

In 1981, Theresa Gaffney of Sally Lunn’s Tea Room was setting her sights on a music career in Britain when a fellow English singer who lived in New Jersey invited her to visit the town of Chester. Strolling through its streets, Gaffney was struck by a wave of familiarity.

“It felt like an adorable little town, just like England,” she recalls. But something was missing: There was no place for a proper cup of tea. That gap in the town’s charm would soon inspire Gaffney to change her life path, facing challenges and finding blessings that would shape her life.

Working alongside her mother, Jean Gaffney, she developed her vision of combining antiques, good food, and fine tea to create a dining experience unlike anything else in Chester. Gaffney believed the town would be the perfect place to bring the tearoom idea to life. Her mother was living in Florida at the time and had previously run a series of successful tearooms there. Determined, Gaffney rented a car, brought her mother to Chester, and the pair quickly “fell in love” with the town, though finding the right location was not easy. Their search eventually led them to Perry Street, where they discovered the space that would become their shop, a cozy haven of quiet comfort for the neighborhood, which opened in 1991.

In the early days, the mother-daughter duo searched for delicate antiques to give their shop a vintage charm. “We’d go out on Mondays, which was our day off, and buy cups and saucers and things like that,” Gaffney recalls. Over time, the collection grew beyond their own finds. Today, many of the antiques come from loyal customers who donate treasured family heirlooms, ensuring they continue to be cherished and put to good use.

The name Sally Lunn’s comes from a family favorite English sweet yeast bread. It is similar to a brioche, with a crisp crust, and can be served any time of day, but is particularly good at teatime.

“EVEN THOUGH IT’S CUTE—EVERYBODY LOVES THE AMBIANCE AND THE FOOD—IT’S STILL A RESTAURANT. AND RESTAURANTS ARE HARD, NO MATTER WHAT TYPE YOU WORK IN.”

Hard work pays off

“We worked hard, and we were consistent,” Gaffney recalled of working alongside her mother, who has since died. “You have to have good food. I always buy the best ingredients and try to make everything as delicious and simple as I can, so people really feel like they’re having a treat when they come here.”

Gaffney faced one of her greatest challenges when the Covid pandemic forced all restaurants to close indoor dining. For a business built on personal connections and face-to-face hospitality, Sally Lunn’s was suddenly at a crossroads. With the support of a loyal customer base built over nearly 30 years, Gaffney managed to keep the tea shop open during one of the most difficult times local businesses had ever faced.

“I had the most amazing customers you can imagine,” she says. “They kept me going. They showed up every weekend to buy takeout. I had one lady from Staten Island who would go around [to] all her neighbors and get orders worth hundreds of dollars. These people saved my business. They were unbelievable.”

Today, Sally Lunn’s remains a cornerstone of the Chester community. Its tables welcome both longtime regulars and new visitors, offering a quiet place to pause and connect. Friends and families gather here over comforting food in a Victorian-inspired setting, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Sally Lunn’s serves traditional English fare

Sally Lunn’s menu includes pots of tea, flavorful scones served with homemade clotted cream and jam, cottage pie, cornish pastie, lobster white cheddar mac & cheese, and the locally famous chicken pot pie. Most food items range between $7 and $19.

For customers looking for a traditional English Tea experience, the eatery offers a Basic Afternoon Tea for $25 that includes a selection of finger sandwiches, a warmed scone with clotted cream and strawberry preserves, and a pot of freshly brewed tea. Sally Lunn’s also offers a Victorian Tea for $35, which includes all the elements of the basic tea with the addition of mini desserts. Finally, the shop has a Cream Tea, which includes a scone with clotted cream and strawberry preserves alongside strawberry-and custard-filled shortbread tarts and a pot of tea. The restaurant is open Tuesday–Friday, 10:30am–5:30pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am–6pm.

With more than 30 years in the same Chester store-front, Gaffney recognizes what it takes to build a successful small business. “It’s hard work,” she says. “You know, even though it’s cute—everybody loves the ambiance and the food—it’s still a restaurant. And restaurants are hard, no matter what type you work in.” But thanks to a dedicated customer base, Sally Lunn’s isn’t going anywhere. □

SALLY LUNN’S TEA ROOM & RESTAURANT
15 Perry St, Chester
908.879.7731
sallylunns.com