The Independent Ice Cream Shop in downtown Independence, Or, serves up a staggering variety of ice cream for a small town. Seasonal flavors, vegan options, and classics are all available and delicious. The shop itself would be remarkable if this was all it served. However, this small business offers up an amazing high tea service that includes tea from their loose-leaf selection and ice cream as a last taste of sweetness.

High Tea Service

Make your reservation 24 hours ahead of time, and you can sit down with a loved one or a group of friends and revel in this old country tradition. High tea service starts out with a glass of sparkling cider, a fruit plate (raspberries and kiwi), and a selection of sandwiches. Our selection included traditional cucumber, millionaire spread, and turkey, cheese and apple on cinnamon raisin bread. I don’t know what millionaire spread is, except creamy, tangy, vegan goodness.

You can choose your tea from any of the flavors on the wall, or let your host choose for you. We chose a delightful ginger, orange, peach blend. The next platter tier had two types of deliciously sweet scones. We had blackberry and lemon served with clotted cream, lemon curd, and blackberry jam. These scones embodied the best that scones can be – delicate, moist, toasty, and filling.

The third tier had a traditional English lemon pudding – not to be confused with the American dessert of the same name. This pudding was baked, tangy, and filling. Next to it was a chocolate banana sandwich bite. When everything was finished, we chose our ice cream from the flavors available in the freezer.

The value of this feast makes it well worth the price. Take the time and spend it with someone whose company you enjoy. If you want an option that’s a little less lavish, try the afternoon tea.

Tea at Home

If you prefer to have your tea at home, Independent Ice Cream Shop offers everything you need for a luxury tea time experience. Tea pots and cups come in sets with creamers and sugar pots. Tea infusers are available for single serving tea time; loose-leaf tea is available in bulk in a variety of flavors.

Vintage Sodas and More

If you want to go back to your childhood memories, or perhaps, the memories of your parents or grandparents, Independent Ice Cream Shop offers a large variety of vintage sodas. Whimsical, well-named, and fun, these bottles inspire nostalgia for the good ol’ days. They also make colorful decorations. There are other surprise offerings in this shop, including local made jam and artistic jewelry. All of the items conspire to make this small business an enjoyable and interesting tea drinking experience.