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By Mary Beth Schwartz
Just the place for a Snark! Just the place for a Snark! I have said it twice: That alone should encourage the crew. Just the place for a Snark! I have said it thrice: What I tell you three times is true.” Those are immortal words of Lewis Carroll which are featured in the narrative poem “The Hunting of the Snark.” The Snark, a mythical creature that is elusive, mysterious, and wakes up late. Most important of all, The Snark is very ambitious, just like Jenni-Lyn Williams, Chief Snark Officer of Snarky Tea, and proprietor of Doylestown’s latest artistic wonder, The Snarky Tea House.
Let’s step back to year 2016, when Williams was working herself ragged for corporate America while raising children and earning her MBA at Villanova University. The daily routine was very stressful. The more stressed she became, the more caffeine she took in. This increased the anxiety and mid-day jitters. Williams finally went to the doctor, who suggested she switch to tea to cut back on the caffeine. The tea brands she found in the store were not for real women and didn’t suit her personality. So, Williams created her own line of teas, Snarky Tea. It took care of the marketing class requirement and her health.
The original line of Snarky Tea featured titles that were funny and “fresh,” now named ProfaniTEA. A successful e-commerce business was launched in 2016. Soon her tea was in Vogue magazine, then showcased at the Oscars. It was there that American Idol’s Randy Jackson suggested she apply to Shark Tank. In 2017, she flew to Los Angeles, seven months pregnant, to pitch her tea tins on the show. Kevin O'Leary (Mr. Wonderful) tried Calm The F**k Down tea, and Bethenny Frankel (Skinnygirl, Real Housewives) had Fierce B*tch. The two sharks gave the Philadelphia native an investment of $150,000 for 50% of her company. This investment helped to launch the brand.
In June of 2024, Williams bought out the sharks and became the sole proprietor of Snarky Tea. She then traveled with family to Paris to visit tearooms. The decision was made to start a local tearoom where the online audience could come experience Snarky Tea. Williams asked her sister, Courtney Nicholas, if she would help to run the tearoom. The Grand Opening was held on Friday, June 13, 2025. “The Snarky Tea House in Doylestown is the public-facing storefront where customers can experience the themed tearoom and purchase Snarky Tea products, accessories, and swag. Then there is our production warehouse in Hatboro, where we currently employ 35 women. This year we will ship hundreds of thousands of tea orders to our Snark Squad family,” notes Nicholas.
What is the Snark Squad exactly? It began as an online Facebook group for fellow tea lovers. It has grown to a communiTEA of amazing women support women through the good times and the bad. It currently has 22,000 members. Snark Squad members have been traveling from all around the country to enjoy afternoon tea. “This spot has all the vibes. People just light up here. We love offering our Snarky Tea family those warm fuzzy feels.”
When visitors arrive at the tearoom, they are magically transported into the dreamlike world of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It begins when you enter through the front door, which has a giant keyhole. If you look at the back of the keyhole you will spot the White Rabbit, complete with his pocket watch and waistcoat, who is in quite a hurry. The Queen of Hearts is quietly lurking behind the door, ready for someone’s head. Take one step in and take in the vibrant art of the room: black and white checkered tiles, Parisian awnings, boxwood covered walls, brightly colored flowers, framed vignettes, miniature teapots, electric butterflies, decorative mirrors, curios, hand painted murals. The goofy Mad Hatter is ready to pour you a cuppa. Alice is patiently reading a book in the corner. Immediately look to your right and you are now in the retail shop. The loose-leaf teas are displayed so lovingly, along with travel tumblers, artisan mugs, tea brewing systems, tea tins, friendship bracelets, tea accessories, Snarky Tea packets—lots of topsy-turvy tea ware.
“Jenni-Lyn consulted Mycel Gorman at Design Works in Bristol. It took over six months to hand make the decorations inside. She designed everything in here. The flowers, the tucked-in greenery, the inside awnings, floral themed wall sconces. She dissected and painted lawn ornaments. All the picture frames were hand painted. She created the glass plated table in the tearoom. All the Wonderland statues came from a movie prop company via a flatbed. The list goes on,” Nicholas adds.
After you greet Alice you will pass the kitchen on the right, complete with a row of glass teapots ready afternoon tea. Another burst of eye-popping color awaits you as you enter the quaint dining area, which intimately seats up to 29 guests. You will be joined by the grinning Cheshire Cat, and the hookah alerts you that the Caterpillar is nearby. An antique green glass chandelier illuminates the room. The quirky walls are covered in framed Alice vignettes featuring antique accents, cards, and other curiosities. A wonderful wall of clocks has times set to represent Williams’s family members. Generations of her family work for Snarky Tea–aunts, cousins, nieces, and sisters. “Alice speaks to all of us.”
When you are seated for afternoon tea you will discover a list of the 11 bold loose-leaf teas served at the tearoom. (Online they have over 150 seasonal teas blended throughout the year.) Black teas (high caffeine) include Basic Black, Earl Grey, Peachy Keen, and Caramel Chai. There is the Tropical Sunrise green tea (medium caffeine). Herbal teas include Mindful Mint, Hibiscus Glow, and Lavender Lemonade. Fruit teas include Blueberry Apple Pie, Raspberry Lemonade, and Blue Pineapple Mango. Alice would say, “Drink me.” I enjoyed the Blue Pineapple Mango, an electric blue tea with a vibrant taste. My friend Mel opted for the Raspberry Lemonade. The glass teapots were so colorful and sassy on the table. The teas were so smooth and natural. I could taste the real botanicals, real fruits. I didn’t miss the caffeine or sugar.
As you are waiting for your tier of tea goodies to arrive, spend time taking in the walls. Before you know it, Alice will be saying, “Eat me.” My friend and I were served three tiers. One featured the sandwiches: Cucumber and Herbed Cream Cheese on White Bread; Cranberry Butter and Turkey on a Brioche Bun; and Chicken Salad on Pretzel Roll. For the scones: Cardamom Apple Crisp (imagine Apple Jacks cereal) and Maple Bacon (mmm, Sunday breakfast). These were served with homemade clotted cream, lemon curd, and seasonal fruit jam. The desserts: Autumn Harvest Éclair, Fig Balsamic Macaroon, and Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Tartlet. The amazing kitchen staff makes everything in house. Note that every tea reservation is allotted one hour and 30 minutes.
On our way out of the tearoom we decided to purchase some fresh loose-leaf teas to prepare at home. Some blends that will be available during the holidays include Shirley Temple, Gingerbread House, and Merry + Bright. Festive tins and gift sets will be available as well. I already have told my friends to book in advance for holiday tea, which will be offered from December 4 through January 4. This tea will have an expanded menu with lots of festive flavors. Starting on November 1, there will also be a children’s tea option.
To make a reservation for your one-of-a-kind afternoon tea, visit https://www.exploretock.com/the-snarky-teahouse-doylestown. Reservations are available eight weeks in advance. Tearoom hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last seating is at 2:45 p.m. Street parking is available during the week. During busy weekends, parking is available at the Broad & Court Street Garage in Doylestown. The Snarky Tea House is located at 24 North Main Street in Doylestown. For more information, call 267-576-7300 or visit www.thesnarkyteahouse.com. For online shopping, use the Snarky Tea app or Snarky Tea website, www.snarkytea.com.
(bio)
Mary Beth Schwartz is a tea enthusiast who enjoys the art of afternoon tea. Her visit to The Snarky Tea House brought back fond childhood memories of proper tea parties with her dollies and lazy afternoons watching Disney’s 1951 animated classic Alice in Wonderland in wonderful technicolor.