by James Coulter
A new tea room will be receiving an extra boost for its business now that the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved a grant of up to $25,000.
At their meeting on Tues. Aug. 12, 2025, Lake Wales CRA board members voted unanimously to provide an Incentive Grant through the Food-Related Services Incentive Program to Lady B’s Tea Parlour.
The program, according to Assistant Director Ronni Wood, offers “$50,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds to assist in establishing food-related businesses in [the] Downtown Main Street District.”
This grant money will be used by Lady B’s Tea Parlour for “plumbing upgrades, including an ADA bathroom, electrical upgrades and other modifications necessary for a restaurant,” Wood said.
Located at 205 E. Stuart Avenue, Lady B’s Tea Parlour is, as Wood described it, “a restaurant, serving traditional social teas, as well as lunch to residents, tourists, and area employees.” The tea room is expected to open on Nov. 5, 2025.
Becky Ronnie, one of the owners, mentioned how her tea room would benefit Downtown Lake Wales, not only by offering an exquisite menu often lacking at other tea rooms, but also by generating interest in other local businesses.
“Nice thing is, we [ladies] go, shop, have lunch, and shop a little more,” Ronnie said. “It [the tea room] becomes a destination point that brings with it pocketbooks and interest in poking around. Part of our promotional plan comes with working with the other businesses in town for cross-promotion.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie, as someone who has visited other tea rooms, commended Lady B’s Tea Parlour for being a “welcome addition” to the downtown area.
