Happy Drink Up Month. Today, we’re spotlighting The Britannia Tearooms, a British-influenced, Victorian-themed tearoom opening Monday, July 31, in the Midway District near Liberty Station.

The business is owned by British expat Selina Stockley, who’s been running Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea on India Street for 20 years. Her Shakespeare’s location will remain open as a quick-service shop and cafe, but her full tea service will move to Britannia Tearooms. Stockley recently showed us around her new space — let’s peek at her vision.

The building — formerly the Country Waffles restaurant — stands at 2323 Midway Dr. Stockley says the front yard will feature an English country-style garden, created with help from Walter Andersen Nursery.

Inside, guests will find décor thrifted or donated from across the county, including intricate chandeliers, old clocks, a princess-style carriage, and a carousel horse.

We spy the beginnings of the "Sherlock Holmes"-themed sitting room. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Guests can expect Instagram-worthy themed areas like the “Sherlock Holmes” sitting room, “Harry Potter” bathrooms (witches and wizards), and “Mary Poppins” gift shop. There’s also The Lily Pond, a semi-private area attached to the main dining room for larger parties, and The Mad Hatter’s Tearoom, a private party area for 18 or more guests. A small, mushroom-filled garden connects to the party room, dubbed Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The main dining room seats 55 guests and afternoon tea sittings will be available on weekends — 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. — while themed teas will be available select weekdays, 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. As always, reservations are encouraged and walk-ins will be first come, first serve. It’ll be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Stockley says the kitchen is much larger than her space at Shakespeare’s, so she’ll be cooking up a storm in there.

Selina Stockley began her tearoom business with Shakespeare's Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea on India Street. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

❓ 4 quick questions with Selina Stockley:

Q: Why has your tearoom business been a hit?
A: “I’ve really concentrated on my food — making my own jams, curds, cakes, scones. It’s all about attacking everybody’s taste buds — I believe in bursts of flavor. Everything is thought out and thought through.”

Spilling the tea: The menu features 60+ loose teas, about 20 of which are “character-blends” created to match the personality of a character. For instance, the “James Bond” blend has rose petals, because “he was a ladies’ man.”

Q: Describe your business in three words.
A: “Magical. Traditional. Fantastic.”

Spilling the tea: Stockley’s smile answering this one said it all.

Q: What do you want people to feel when they visit Britannia Tearooms?
A: “I want people to step through those doors and they’ve stepped back into another era, like they’re visiting Britain. I want this to be a step out of your normal life into something where you can just be — two hours where you can just be.”

Q: What do you want people to feel when they leave?
A: “I want them to come out of here feeling refreshed, full, and ready to take on the rest of the day. I want it to be an experience, and I want it to feed the soul.”