Once Grandma Hattie starts talking about her tea room, all bets are off. The Historic Dryer House Emporium, a few years ago just a wish and a dream, has come full circle and is finally open for business on Main Street in Victor.
Grandma Hattie, AKA Kathleen Houser, has joined forces with her long time friend, Fran Gullace Snavely, to repurpose and reincarnate one of the village's most impressive historic homes.
"I had put in an offer to purchase another Victorian house across the street," says Houser, "but that deal fell through. I was heartbroken."
Days later she learned from Gullace Snavely that the Dryer House was available to lease and they jumped on the chance.
"The house had been empty for a year and half," says Houser with wonder in her voice. "This is a dream come true for everyone."
Today they've packed every square inch of the elegant home with antiques, artifacts and artwork and it virtually vibrates with life.
"We have the bakery and the tea room (on the first floor) which has a luncheon menu and is open seven days a week," Houser explains. "Fran is doing all the food for the Italian bakery and the food for the restaurant."
"We have a huge gift shop with 31 vendors, including antique dealers, downstairs and throughout the house," she continues, barely taking time to catch her breath.
"Upstairs we have an art gallery and the Victor Arts Council will be holding their meetings here. Any artist who wants to exhibit will be able to do that in the gallery."
"We have a library with vintage books," she adds, "and we have a photography studio upstairs where people can make an appointment for portraits."
If you forget your bling, Houser has it covered.
"Downstairs we have hats and gloves and pearls and all kinds of accessories, so people can dress up for tea parties. We have accessories upstairs as well for portraits."
Staying true to her deep rooted commitment to the Victor Historical Society, she says, "We will still do tea parties at Valentown," (the original site for Grandma Hattie's) "and once a month we'll do a themed tea. In October on the Sunday before Halloween our tea party will have a Gone with the Wind theme, and Civil War re-enactors will present a fashion show."
