05/08/2026
The last few moments of 5500 Harford Road.
My, my, my… how the last eight years have flown by.
When I first walked into 5500, it was the Green Onion Organic Food Market, operating alongside Clementine. Where Mickey’s Joint opened. Main Street was upstairs in the office, and the building owner, Rich Marsiglia, was part of the heartbeat of the place.
Behind the counter was a young woman named Emma.
Every Sunday, I would come in to pick up a few bits and pieces, and I’d say, “If I ever had a shop, I’d want it to be just like this.”
The big open space. The kitchen. Everything within arm’s reach. The great big windows. That corner of Hamilton Main Street, right across from the town square.
One day, Emma said to me, “Well, you can. I think they’re closing.”
And I said, “Oh no, I’m a single mum. I’m from England. I have kids. I couldn’t possibly start a business.”
She told me I should speak to Regina and Rich.
They came downstairs and said, “We’ll give you the first three months for free. More than anything, we want to support this community and make sure a small business stays in this corner store.”
The only thing I couldn’t do was change the original floor.
And so began Emma’s Tea Spot.
I had spent 25 years in the restaurant industry — from GM to chef, busser, dishwasher, and server. I knew the industry inside out, except for one thing: being the operator. Leading the team. Carrying the responsibility.
That was a hard learning curve.
I had to learn to take up space. To use my voice. To trust that I was competent while building the confidence to match it. Especially while guiding, training, and leading women, knowing that their livelihoods were connected to the choices I made every day.
Over the years, I’ve developed a loyal, trusting, incredible team.
I’m still not perfect. But every day, I keep working, growing, and pushing forward so Emma’s Tea Spot can continue to have a positive impact on this community and in the lives of others.
Thank you, Hamilton and Lauraville, for your patronage, your loyalty, and your support.
See you in the garden
Emma
