Miss Marple’s Tearoom business and freehold listed in Sassafras
After nearly 45 years of welcoming locals and tourists, Miss Marple’s Tearoom – a Sassafras institution in greater Melbourne – is officially on the market.
The traditional English tearoom has operated from the Tudor-style building in the Dandenong Ranges since 1982, with a menu that has never changed.
Owner Jen Linaker is selling both the Agatha Christie-inspired business and the freehold after pouring love into the venue for over 30 years.
“Now, someone else gets the chance to run this beautiful building,” Ms Linaker said.
Guests are transported back in time when they visit Miss Marple’s – you won’t see staff taking orders with iPads here – and this old-fashioned charm has kept people lining up, day after day.
“They’ll often land in Tullamarine and this is the first spot they want to tick off their list for Melbourne,” she says.
“I often open the door to 60 people lining up waiting to come in.
“I’m full at 11.01am and then I’m full till we close again at 4pm.”
From people dropping in for a pot of tea, to those on a first date, the venue has witnessed thousands of milestones during Linaker’s tenure.
“I can show you many families who have grown up in this place,” Linaker said. “So, often there’s a goosebump moment when people walk through the door.
“They sit down, the menu hasn’t changed, the decor hasn’t changed, and they can sit and just remember who they sat with last time, or honour someone they’ve lost.”
Alongside the bustling ground-floor tearoom and kitchen, the 2365 square metre property features a self-contained, luxury one-bedroom apartment upstairs with a spa bath, which offers a live-in sanctuary or potential boutique bed-and-breakfast.
On top of that, the well-established business is supported by approximately 26 experienced staff, including a head chef of over 28 years and a 2IC of 22 years.
“The vendor advises the team intends to remain, subject to agreed arrangements, with a two-week training handover offered,” the listing says.
Bell Real Estate Belgrave director Elliot Bell said Miss Marple’s offers an “extraordinary opportunity” for the next owner.
“Miss Marple’s has built a world-renowned following, with visitors treating it as an essential stop on any Melbourne itinerary,” Bell says.
“It’s easily one of the strongest businesses I have seen in the area.”
