Teapot Cafe calls it a day

The last sip: Teapot Cafe owners doesnot know how to say goodbye to the people,place and food that she has grown to know over the past 14 years.

The Teapot Cafe dished out its last serving of freshly baked scones and homemade goodies this weekend as the institution in SS2, Petaling Jaya, will be ceasing its operations.

Owner Azrina Arshad, 43, said it has been emotional 14 years filled with ups and downs, but it had been a great experience to see regulars growing up with the cafe.

“The cafe has witnessed up to three to four generations of customers walking through its doors,” she said.

“I have seen couples who came here during their dating days, got married, and now have their teenage kids coming here. I have also seen guys who bring their mothers, aunts and grandmothers here for a treat.”

Azrina said she was grateful to each and every person who had patronised Teapot Cafe, as well as the staff who had become the cafe’s family.

She recalled the days back in 1997 when she took over the business from her mother Puan Sri Zaleha Arshad, who started the business as a cosy corner above her Azalea Batik showroom to entertain her customers.

Azrina, an architect by training and profession, then redesigned the layout to have the cafe on the ground floor and showroom on the upper floor.

“I wanted to create homely, cosy and family-type ambience which would appeal to both the old and young. I took a break from my full-time job and focused on running the business for two years,” said Azrina on her hands-on approach.

“It was a steep learning curve, particularly during the first six months. We experimented with various dishes to see what people would like, and learnt that little things like attention to detail made a difference.”

The tea house was a pioneer in offering the English tea experience.

Its menu offered local favourites, Western specialities, tea time savouries and a range of imported teas.

The cafe has since had to cope with challenges like lack of parking spaces, competition, increasing prices of raw ingredients and shifting lifestyle trend among the younger generation.

Azrina said it was a business decision to sell off the entire three-storey business premises where the cafe occupies the ground floor unit.

“I initially wanted to announce a relocation instead of closing down. The potential location that I had identified did not come through and it became increasingly doubtful that the move would materialise,” she said.

“I was in denial for a long time when I had to make my decision. The cafe has been like a family to me, and had been a part of me for so many years,” said the mother of five.

While it has been a painful and heartbreaking decision, Azrina said the family support she received has helped tremendously.

“My mum is concerned about my health, and feels it’s time for me to take a break. She’s been supportive of me since day one,” said Azrina, adding that Zaleha has since opened a sister outlet called The Teapot Deli at SACC Mall, Shah Alam, which offers a smaller menu of pastries and main courses.

There has been an outpouring of support via emails, Facebook posts and regulars dropping by for their last bite of Teapot Cafe favourites since the closing down announcement a fortnight ago.

Asked about what would happen to the cafe’s display of quaint teapots and craftwork which came from Zaleha’s personal collection, Azrina said her mother, followed by close friends and family, would be identifying the items that they want to take home.

“We will have a garage sale during the third week of November to sell off the remaining items,” said Azrina.

“These include the furniture, kitchen equipment, utensils and crockery, some of which have yet to be opened!

The cafe will be closed indefinitely, although Azrina does not rule out reopening Teapot Cafe to a different venue sometime in the future.

“I am hopeful of opening another new chapter as I close this one. I want to the cafe to come back with a bang.

“It will retain its cosy and intimate feel, but will have a rebranded look and menu to keep up with the times,” she said, adding that the new premises would ideally be located at a bungalow with ample grounds.

Tributes from regulars

I’ve always admired your cafe and in fact it was the first place that I treated my mum when I got my first pay check. Thank you for the wonderful service and food.

- Emily Tong

I know for sure Teapot Cafe is not managed purely on a commercial basis as the passion that runs deep in the team is clearly felt. The opportunity to sit and be surrounded by such a cosy ambience is rare to find even when one is visiting in England. Certainly there have been a great amount of lovely memories, and your trademark hot scones with cream and strawberry jam cannot be replicated by anyone and anywhere else!

- Teresa Moo

It has become one of our favourite restaurants over the years and we have enjoyed its ambience and friendliness, menu and our meals there. The cafe also has a sentimental attachment for me as I witnessed its official opening, its move from the first floor to the ground floor, and its association with Azalea Batik and Puan Sri Zaleha.

- Zawiyah Baba