Small Business Spotlight: Mel and Mia’s
A look inside Downtown Mount Vernon’s newest British-inspired cafe and tea house
By: Julieta Larios
If the bright pink sign didn't catch your eye, the aroma of freshly baked goods and coffee grounds might have. New to Downtown Mount Vernon is Mel & Mia’s, a British-inspired cafe and tea house offering all your favorite desserts and pastries.
Owners Rebecca and William Pennington are not new to the restaurant industry or owning a business. The pair opened Mel & Mia's with William Pennington's background as a classically trained chef and Rebecca Pennington's history in the restaurant industry. They named the cafe after their daughters, Melanie and Amelia.
Walking into the cafe, it is impossible to ignore the decorations and fixtures alluding to British culture. Raised by a British woman, Rebecca Pennington grew up sipping afternoon tea and watching King Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding on VHS. She has always been drawn to the United Kingdom, so making it the cafe’s theme felt natural.
“I always tell people I feel like I’m an honorary Brit; I was raised by a British woman,” said Rebecca Pennington.
Before being located in Mount Vernon, Mel & Mia’s was a long-running establishment in Edmonds, Washington, since 2016. The two eventually decided to move to Mount Vernon because they had outgrown their previous building and wanted to own their space.
While the couple transitions their life from Edmonds to Mount Vernon, both currently commute an hour every day to and from Mel & Mia’s. William Pennington's day typically begins around 3 a.m. to start cooking and baking, and Rebecca arrives around 8 am to set up the front of the cafe. The hours are long but worth it to establish themselves in the Mount Vernon downtown scene.
“We really want to be a part of the community and help the community in any way possible,” said Rebecca Pennington. “In Edmonds, we had a lot of charities that were really near and dear to us that we worked with. I’m really excited to find more of those here and to support the community.”
Mel & Mia’s goes beyond serving just beverages and desserts; the cafe also offers breakfast and lunch items. Additionally, they offer space rentals for parties and special occasions, including tea parties, birthdays and baby showers. You can also expect seasonal events, such as the Halloween Witches’ Hour Tea and Mrs. Claus Christmas Tea.
If you have a sweet tooth or a love for British culture, check out Mel & Mia’s!
Visit Rebecca and William
at
Mel & Mia’s!
320 S 1st St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Sunday-Thursday: 9 AM - 5 AM
Friday-Saturday: 9 AM - 7 PM
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