Alex & frances's story
Miss Mollett's Original Tea Room
Jessie Blanche Mollett was born in Richmond, Surrey on 13th November, 1881. She eventually moved to Rye where she opened an antique shop
She later moved to Appledore in the 1920s to the property now known as Old Way Cottage where she lived until her death on 28th February, 1970 at the age of 88. During her time in the village she bought several properties and opened the tea room and guest house pictured. This thrived until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 when she gave up the business. She is buried in Appledore Churchyard nearby.
The Cowells moved to Appledore on the day of the Great Storm of 1987 and Alex’s sister Frances MacDonald and husband Alan joined them twenty years later in 2007. They decided to realise a long-held ambition to open a tea room to serve the many visitors to the village, as well as providing a meeting place for local residents.
Both sisters had been researching their family history and were contacted by Sue, a 4th cousin, twice removed. Imagine their surprise when they learned from Sue of a long-lost relative, Jessie Mollett, who had had the same idea! When thinking of a name for our tea room Miss Mollett’s seemed the natural choice – we hope she approves.
Our tea shop previously housed a well known antiques and collectibles shop called High Class Junk, which in turn took its name from its predecessor, High Class Butchers! We thought it fitting to continue the theme, hence the name:
She later moved to Appledore in the 1920s to the property now known as Old Way Cottage where she lived until her death on 28th February, 1970 at the age of 88. During her time in the village she bought several properties and opened the tea room and guest house pictured. This thrived until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 when she gave up the business. She is buried in Appledore Churchyard nearby.
The Cowells moved to Appledore on the day of the Great Storm of 1987 and Alex’s sister Frances MacDonald and husband Alan joined them twenty years later in 2007. They decided to realise a long-held ambition to open a tea room to serve the many visitors to the village, as well as providing a meeting place for local residents.
Both sisters had been researching their family history and were contacted by Sue, a 4th cousin, twice removed. Imagine their surprise when they learned from Sue of a long-lost relative, Jessie Mollett, who had had the same idea! When thinking of a name for our tea room Miss Mollett’s seemed the natural choice – we hope she approves.
Our tea shop previously housed a well known antiques and collectibles shop called High Class Junk, which in turn took its name from its predecessor, High Class Butchers! We thought it fitting to continue the theme, hence the name:
A new era
The dreadful 2020 pandemic lockdowns brought havoc and disappointment to the entire country, not least to Appledore and Miss Mollett's. After 12 hard working years, Alex and Frances decided it was time to pass on the baton to a new owner. They had lots of offers, but finally felt that Carly and her mother Brenda really wanted to build on the success and reputation built up over the years, keeping the tea room experience alive.
Carly and Brenda and their family have created a lovely environment and have added professional floristry into the mix. They have a floristry business in Peckham, South London but live nearby. They have added a craft coffee maker and the menu has been evolved, whilst maintaining the traditional cream tea and cake loved by regulars and visitors alike.
Carly and Brenda and their family have created a lovely environment and have added professional floristry into the mix. They have a floristry business in Peckham, South London but live nearby. They have added a craft coffee maker and the menu has been evolved, whilst maintaining the traditional cream tea and cake loved by regulars and visitors alike.