Sparta Lavender Finds a Temporary Home at the Tearoom When road construction threatened to close off access to her business this fall, Sparta’s Lavender Farm owner, Karen Parr, was faced with a difficult question: how to keep her shop open while the bridge leading to her farm was being repaired. “I went to one of the county meetings in the spring and asked if there was going to be any bridge work this year,” Karen recalls. “They told me there was, and I begged them not to do it in the summer because that would hurt our business terribly. Then, in September, I got tagged in a Facebook post saying it was going to close in October.” The bridge closure meant customers would have to take a lengthy detour to reach the farm, something Karen knew would affect fall and holiday sales. “We usually stay open right up until Christmas,” she says, “So I thought, what on earth are we going to do?”
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To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com With holiday baskets and new products arriving soon, Karen is looking forward to a busy season. “Normally, people come to me at the farm, but now I get to connect with everyone in town,” she enthuses. “It’s a wonderful reminder of how strong this community really is.” The partnership has also created a pleasant crossover between tea and lavender. “People come in for lunch and end up buying lavender,” says Norma. “And others come in for lavender, then stay for tea. It works both ways.” Both women are already pondering future festive collaborations. “We could bring back lavender scones or add lavender-inspired specials,” says Karen. “It just makes good sense.” Her answer came in the form of community spirit and a friend with space to spare. Norma Roberts, owner of the Sparta House Tearoom, didn’t hesitate when Karen came looking for a temporary home. “I drove down here and explained the situation,” says Karen. “I don’t think I even got the sentence finished before Norma said, ‘Come and use this space’.” For Norma, the offer made perfect sense. “At this time of year, I don’t normally need this room,” she says. “So, it worked out really well — helping out a friend. Being a small village, we like to see if we can help one another.” In late September, the new location inside the tearoom at 46342 Sparta Line opened and has already been a hit with customers. “People have wandered in from the tearoom and said, ‘I didn’t know the lavender farm was still open’!” says Karen. “It’s already been really valuable.”
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Page 2 Real Living • Fall 2025
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