Our Story
The Tea Trolley is more than a tea house — it is a story woven through time, tradition, and tea in a historic home at 104 Main Street in Delta, Pennsylvania.
A Historic Home in the Heart of Delta
Located at 104 Main Street in Delta, Pennsylvania, The Tea Trolley is housed in a Victorian-era home built in the 1880s, during the height of Delta’s slate-boom period. At that time, Main Street was emerging as the heart of the borough’s commerce and community life, lined with substantial homes and businesses that reflected the town’s prosperity and growth.
Nestled between rolling hillsides once famous for their slate quarries, the building remains a beautiful example of the era’s architecture and enduring craftsmanship — a setting that makes afternoon tea feel like an occasion.
Visit us in Delta, PA
104 Main Street, Delta PA 17314
Planning your first visit? Learn what afternoon tea is like here or explore our menu.
From England to Afternoon Tea
Rachael Cox, originally from London, grew up enjoying the ritual of afternoon tea in England. After moving to the United States in 1991, she carried that love of tea with her and began sharing it through private catered tea events across Pennsylvania and Maryland.
In 2001, she formally established her catering business, and in 2008, she purchased and renovated the historic home at 104 Main Street, transforming it into a space devoted entirely to tea gatherings of all sizes. Her vision was to create a place rooted in warmth, beauty, and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea.
Want the “Victorian tea” backstory?
For the broader history of Victorian afternoon tea (Anna, Duchess of Bedford, and the tradition’s evolution), see our Victorian afternoon tea history guide.
A New Chapter — Family, Food & Tradition
In October 2025, The Tea Trolley entered a new chapter when it was lovingly taken over by a mother-daughter trio: Wendy, Sam, and Jordan — a family whose roots in food and hospitality long predate the tea house itself.
Wendy had already built a career in the food industry before her children were born. She met her husband Joe in culinary school and went on to train under French pastry chefs and members of the U.S. Olympic cooking team. Wendy competed both nationally and internationally, developing a philosophy centered on technique, seasonality, and food made entirely from scratch.
While Sam and Jordan were growing up, Wendy often treated them to afternoon tea on special “hooky days,” rewarding them for doing well in school. Those early experiences instilled a deep appreciation for the ritual of tea — not just the food, but the sense of care, celebration, and togetherness it creates.
Years later, Wendy and Joe owned and operated Eats & Sweets near North Harford High School for over a decade. Today, Wendy leads menu development at The Tea Trolley, creating seasonal offerings with every component made in-house to ensure each bite is thoughtfully prepared from real, high-quality ingredients.
Sam, the youngest sibling, learned to bake alongside Wendy and began working in the family business at just 13 years old. She now bakes all desserts from scratch for The Tea Trolley, catering events, Ladew Cafe, and special partnerships.
Jordan manages service, bookkeeping, licensing, marketing, and organization, ensuring the daily operations run smoothly and each guest experience is seamless.
The family effort extends even further — Joe helps front-of-house when he’s not running Ladew Cafe during its open season and supports Square systems, while extended family assists with specialty events.
A simple timeline
1880s
The Victorian-era home at 104 Main Street is built during Delta's slate-boom era.
1991
Rachael Cox moves to the United States, bringing a lifelong love of English afternoon tea.
2001
Rachael formally establishes her catering business and begins sharing tea experiences regionally.
2008
The historic home is purchased and renovated into a space devoted to tea gatherings.
October 2025
Wendy, Sam, and Jordan begin the next family chapter of The Tea Trolley.
Plan your visit
If you’re coming for your first afternoon tea (or planning a celebration), these pages will help you choose the right experience.
What to expect, how it works, and why guests travel for it.
See tea selections, savories, scones, and desserts.
Seasonal teas, themed experiences, and limited events.
Bridal showers, birthdays, corporate events, and more.
Guides on etiquette, brewing, and tea traditions.
Questions, accessibility, and booking guidance.
Experience Traditional Afternoon Tea in Delta, Pennsylvania
Learn about afternoon tea — then experience it for yourself at The Tea Trolley, a historic Victorian tea room in Delta, PA.