Catonsville residents now have a new gathering place for quiet conversation and refined hospitality. Laura Hodges, an interior designer who has lived in the community since 2012, is opening The Tea Room on Frederick Road. The venue provides a curated, 90‑minute tea tasting experience that blends European café ambience with a home‑like tea bar.

What the experience includes

The Signature Tea Service guides guests through a flight of three specialty loose‑leaf teas. Each tea is introduced by the tea curator, Adam Holland, who explains its geographic origin, aroma, color and flavor. After the tasting, participants may select a favorite from the full collection to brew their own pot.

While the tea is enjoyed, small bites—pastries, scones, jams, honey and butter—are served one at a time. All accompaniments are sourced from local partners, reinforcing the venue’s commitment to the Catonsville community.

Reservations and capacity

The experience is reservation‑only and limited to six guests per session, though parties may be as small as one person. Even if a session is not fully booked, it will proceed as scheduled. Marketing director Kelley Heuisler reports that reservations filled quickly after the opening weekend, with many sessions sold out.

Opening timeline

After a series of test weekends with friends and family, The Tea Room will hold soft‑opening weekends on September 11 and September 18. Following a brief pause for Holland’s wedding, the grand opening is set for October 15. Hodges plans to keep the venue open on weekends while continuing her interior‑design practice during the week.

Community focus

Hodges emphasizes the importance of slowing down, connecting with neighbors, and finding comfort in a well‑made cup of tea. “Our family loves the historic feel and strong sense of community here,” she said. “It’s been my lifelong dream to bring a small café to Catonsville, and we hope the tea experience becomes a cherished local tradition.”

Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.