Clumzy Clover Teas and Treasures offers more than hot drinks

WASILLA — Walking into Clumzy Clover Teas and Treasures is like stepping into another world. It’s a warm respite from the cold and a place to rest and recovery from one’s ailments.

The brainchild of Sherry Maresca, Clumzy Clover has roots in her childhood. Maresca claims that, as a young girl, she was sometimes “a little naughty.” Her beloved grandmother usually intervened at those points to teach her that, whatever happened in her daily life, it could be fixed with a pot of tea.

When Maresca moved to the Mat-Su Valley in 2011, she immediately noticed that residents spent a good deal of time bundled up against the elements. Women often wore sweaters under coats, topped with scarves, hats and hoods. Maresca said she wanted to make women happy — to provide a place to come and relax, peel off the layers, and bask in the soothing warmth of a cup of tea.

After finding the perfect place for their new business, Maresca and her partner, James Wimsatt, transformed a corner of Meta Rose Square from a bookstore into a teahouse.

While Wimsatt refurbished office furniture into solid kitchen base cabinets, Maresca set out on a scavenger hunt for dining furniture and decor.

The resulting atmosphere, in a word, is charming. Tables and chairs are dressed up in tablecloths and doilies of numerous different patterns. Hutches and display cases overflow with jewelry, teapots, and teacups — lots and lots of teapots and teacups. A treadle sewing machine, butter churns, and assorted hats adorn the shop. An eclectic but fun and old-fashioned ambiance prevails.

The name of the shop originates from the license plate on Maresca’s truck, “Clumzy.” Her daughter Lyndsie conceived the idea for the full name, Clumzy Clovers Teas and Treasures, because, she said, “it’s where you may be lucky enough to stumble upon a treasure.”

Maresca said she is excited about the prospects of her unique business venture. Clumzy opened in August of 2014 and business continues to improve as more people hear about the quaint teahouse, she said.

Maresca is the baker and chef of the operation and directs three employees: servers Cindi Raymond and Barbara Schaffer and manager Matthew Maresca, her son.

A small gift shop, Suze Alaska, exists upstairs in a loft overlooking the teahouse. Suze specializes in Alaskan-made baskets and other products but also provides a place to browse while a pot of tea seeps at Clumzy Clover.

A personal perspective

One recent afternoon, my daughter, Pearl, and I (Jenny) invited our two favorite grandmothers, Eileen Heun and Helen Munoz, to high tea.

Little did we know what was in store for us.

To begin, we each selected our own pot of tea. We all opted for a different brew and taste-tested each — Red Berry Rose was unanimously voted our favorite.

But the surprise of the afternoon came with the arrival of our high tea treats. We each received a double-plated tray stacked with delights. We dined on chicken asparagus soup, two small sandwiches of cucumber and radish, scallops on parsnip pancakes, and mushroom spinach quiche. The top plate held our desserts: a ginger cookie, lemon bar, a currant scone with Devonshire cream and jam, yogurt with fresh fruit, and chocolate mousse with raspberry and fresh mint. Because each item offered only a bite or two, the tea was indulgent without being overly so. Reservations for high tea are a must.

Visit Clumzy Clover online at clumzyclover.com, or call 232-1900. Business hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.