Grey’s Printer’s Tearoom
The cappuccino was frothy and absent of the usual too sweet sprinkled chocolate. Just the way I liked it. I looked around the busy cafe in the old Georgian styled eighteenth century building which once-a upon-a-time housed Grey’s Printers and an old-worldly type stationery shop with a hushed atmosphere, unvarnished floorboards and wooden counters laden with all kind of interesting things to browse.
It was said that the old building’s claim to fame was that it had connections to Dunlop; official printer to the American Congress had the privilege of printing the first 500 signed copies of the American Declaration of Independence.
I wondered was that the tearooms attraction.
Business in the town’s main street tearoom was buzzing. The tables, with their sparkling white tablecloths, spray of flowers and patterned china cups and saucers were fully occupied by young mothers with toddlers, older women chattering amicably to each other. And towards the back, people enjoying a quiet pot of tea accompanied by matching sugar bowl and milk jug. No doubt like myself, enjoying a while. Welcome time out from work and family responsibilities.
It occurred to me that the tearooms might benefit from the newly established Derry/Londonderry/Strabane Super Council as a tourist attraction for the patrons’ of cruise ships that dock in the port of Derry. Could that account for its obvious popularity as an eatery?
I declined the offer of a refill of coffee; resisted the temptation to lick the last of the delicious cream that had oozed from my slice of cream sponge as a traffic warden stopped outside the old-fashioned small paned window and took out his notebook. Were drivers prepared to park and pay or risk getting a parking ticket so they could frequent the cafe?
Above the curved frontage the signage announced it was Gray’s Printers. A steady stream of punters entered and exited the narrow double door with its partly glassed top.
I was interested to know why the café was so popular and how people, who weren’t local, knew it was a tearoom.
I broke into conversation with a woman at the table next to mine. It seemed the popularity of the tearooms was essentially due to: words of mouth, old world ambiance and decadence, coupled with up-to-the-minute table service.” It’s a great wee place to relax in good company,” she smiled.
No better form of marketing than well satisfied customers, I thought.
I noticed a timetable on the wall about tours of the old printing press.
“We rent the cafe. The Trust looks after the old printing presses and the building. They have scheduled tours and show films and videos of the old printing press and how it worked,” the woman behind the counter informed me.
That sounded very interesting. I made a note of the tour details. I would definitely be going on the Trust’s next tour.
I suppose its past history does helps, I thought. Personally, I thought the tearooms’ appeal was its, friendly atmosphere, I mused as I left. The decision already made to bring my sister for her tea the following week.
Gemma Hill©
Gemma Hill Writeyou Writeme 