Beloved Long Island Tea Room Closes Its Doors, Ending An Era Of Scones

STONY BROOK, NY — Raise your tea cups, lads and ladies.

Anglophiles not only saw the end of an era with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, but also the closure of a beloved tea room on Long Island.

The owners of Robinson's Tea Room in Stony Brook closed abruptly last week after its owners announced on their Facebook page that they needed to close permanently due to illness.

"As of today we are permanently closed due to health issues," read the Sept. 13 post. "We apologize for the short notice."

The popular tea room, which could be packed on weekends and served off of a waiting list, was best known by anglophiles for its whimsical English Country-style decor and as one of the few places to serve a right and proper high tea.

Those not willing to wait could always order a British Lunch Box to go with some scones, clotted cream, and raspberry jam; tasty finger sandwiches — including cucumber, and Victorian Sponge Cake.

It was also the only tea room on Long Island to serve Victorian Sponge Cake.

The tea room's owners thanked their patrons for all the memories they shared over the years.

"It was a pleasure to get to know you all over the years. Thank you to our customers, staff, and all our great neighbors," the post continued.

The tea room was first opened in 1999 by former owner Loretta Vertucci, who named the business after her parents, Edith and John Robinson, but she later sold the business in 2016 to Danielle Munoz and her father, Glenn Treacher, who are both English, Greater Long Island reported.

The pair then began to run the business as an Americanized version of a traditional tea room, and it became a way for them to feel closer to home, according to the outlet.

In Facebook post, they said that there were no issues with the landlord, who has been "very supportive in our mutual goal of finding a suitable new owner for the space."

The post drew over 500 comments from heartbroken patrons, who in turn shared their memories and even some photos.

One commenter bemoaned the closure of the team room, which had been serving up its British comfort food, saying she was sorry to learn the news and noted it "parallels the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

"I have fond memories at your lovely, quaint tea room with my mom and my twin daughters," she said. "We enjoyed the food and ambiance — especially the evening tea experience in December."

"We will miss you. Enjoy your new journey," she concluded.

Many of the commenters shared memories of bringing their mothers, aunts, and daughters to the tea room — some even had their bridal showers there.

Another commenter posted a photograph of the late monarch and expressed how glad she was to gather and mourn at the tea room with other "anglophiles."

"I’m so sad," she wrote. "Thank you for everything. So glad I was able to get the last cinnamon scone with clotted cream a few days ago. I wanted to mourn the Queen with anglophiles."

"Birthdays, showers — Robinson’s was perfect," she wrote.

"This is a very sad time. I have so enjoyed being there," yet another wrote.

One commenter exclaimed, "Oh, no!," and called the tea room "a special place."

"You will be a Stony Brook lost treasure," she wrote. "Best wishes for your next chapter."