Vintage Suitcase & Tea Room provides unique experience

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Chef Eva Gray and baker Becky Adams come from the kitchen of the Vintage Suitcase and Tea Room to greet this reporter.

On The Road

Traveling around this country of ours, this rural reporter never fails to be amazed at the creativity of our American entrepreneurs. Whether in a small town in Arkansas, a Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida, or a city the size of Memphis, TN, the American imagination creates the most unique places to attract visitors.

How many travelers have eaten their lunch in an antique shop?

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net Waitress by day and roller derby queen at night, Madison took this reporter's order.

Walking through the door of the Vintage Suitcase & Tea Room, 724 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, MO, is like entering a glittering showcase straight out of "The Great Gatsby."

Robin and Rick Gilmore opened the antique store just down Scenic Avenue from their elegant home three years ago, and the Tea Room was added in March of 2014.

The combination works well. In fact, the business is expanding to a second location on historic Commercial Street very soon. The current store will operate on Scenic, until the new location is fully operational.

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net The hat room at the Vintage Suitcase & Tea Room!!!

"Do you need a hat for the Kentucky Derby?" asked a lovely lady who gave a little tour. This reporter found several whimsical creations that would have worked quite nicely, had she been attending the Derby or an opening of "My Fair Lady."

Back in the quaint, informal dining room, the chef and the baker came out to greet the reporter and her sister.

A sampler plate of the restaurant's signature quiche and side dishes came next, along with orange and lemon diffused water, all delivered by a beautiful waitress named Madison, who also belongs to a Springfield roller derby team.

MADELINEDEJOURNETTadvancensc@sbcglobal.net This meal left no room for dessert, so the bread pudding with rum sauce had to go home in a box!

"I think I saw you at the last roller derby match in Cape Girardeau!" exclaimed the reporter. "Were you wearing fish-net stockings and purple sequined shorts??"

Indeed, she was. Small world!

For a glimpse into the store, readers can visit "Robin's Vintage Suitcase" on Facebook.