The London Tea Room is closing its location in Downtown West St. Louis

The business will remain operational as the London Tea Merchant online

The London Tea Room at 1900 Locust St. in Downtown West St. Louis announced via Facebook it will be closing its location permanently after Sept. 8.

The lengthy statement includes the following highlights: “The London Tea Room has been involved in a legal case with the landlord of the property we are currently in for well over a year now. The tea room had asked the court to be released from the lease at 1900 Locust, and we are happy to say that was granted. We also appreciate the judge’s decision concerning the payment of disputed arrears and we will be ensuring that payment is made to the landlord in the immediate future.”

The business will continue on in the form of The London Tea Merchant online and as a wholesaler, offering the same loose leaf tea and tea ware its patrons have come to love over the years. 

“As a certified tea sommelier tea is my passion and I am looking forward to having the time freed up to focus on growing that side of the business,” the statement from owner Jackie James continued. “It’s been a very tough decision for me to make as the tea room has been part of my life for 17 years. That being said, this situation has allowed me [to] reevaluate my life’s priorities. As some of you know my daughter has a progressive, not yet curable disease and I want to give more time to her care. I am currently working with a nonprofit foundation that is raising awareness and funds for a gene therapy for her disease and that is also taking up much of my time.”

Although Sunday, Sept. 8, is the final day of restaurant service, there will be a ticketed event themed around The Hobbit on Sept. 14. The weekends following the last day of service will include clearance sales Sept. 14 and 15, as well as Sept. 21 and 22.

“I want to personally thank all of our faithful patrons over the years. Many of you have become friends. We shall miss you,” the post concluded.