Imogene's: Time for Tea and More in Wildwood

Wildwood's former city hall at 16962 Manchester Rd. has been transformed into a new luncheon restaurant/tea room and shop for novelty gifts. staff involves four generations of one family who are eager to give customers a fun and unique experience.

As reported in a previous Eureka-Wildwood Patch article, .

Current lunch menu items include quiche, salads, wraps, paninis, sandwiches and soups—especially the staff's well-known chunky tomato soup. The house dressing is basil-based. A dessert tray is offered daily.

The shop's owners hope to add outdoor seating and a few new menu items before the month's end. They also plan to add wine and beer to their future offerings. Additional parking is available behind the building, rather than just the handful of parking slots immediately visible on Manchester Road.

Teas available at Imogene's include organic breakfast, ginger peach, earl grey lavender, signature white, golden plum and passion blend. Coffee lovers also can rejoice with interesting blends, such as cocomochanut flavors.

Examples of home accessories and special gifts found at Imogene's include:

• Pillows
• Monogram notes
• Purse postables
• Photo frames
• Infant clothing
• Fancy diaper bags
• Hand-painted ornaments
• Mugs
• Wine slushy mixes (wine glace)
• Hostess gifts
• Fun reading glasses
• Tyler branded candles
• Books
• Auto air fresheners
• Purses
• Chairs
• Framed artwork
• Silk plants

Imogene's also carries an interesting, interchangeable line of jewelry called Kameleon. It enables wearers to purchase various stones to switch out colors and styles for rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. The motto of Kameleon Jewelry's manufacturers is "Change is Natural."

A Bit About High Teas:
Legend indicates afternoon tea was started in the mid-1800s by the Duchess of Bedford. At that time, gas or oil light was introduced in wealthier homes, and eating a late meal around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. became fashionable. According to one source, there typically had been only two meals each day—a mid-morning, breakfast-like meal and the other was an increasingly late meal. The story indicates the Duchess had a "sinking feeling," or hunger fatigue from the long wait between meals, and decided to invite friends over for assorted snacks and tea, which was a fashionable drink then. The idea of an afternoon tea gathering spread across high society and became a favorite pastime of ladies of leisure. Later, it became more accessible for other socioeconomic groups.