About Sparta House

Tea Time in Sparta:

Established by Quakers in 1813, the tiny village of Sparta Ontario, hasn't lost it's small town charm. With wonderfully rustic buildings, clean streets and proud people, many of Sparta's over 200-year-old heritage buildings still stand, including the Sparta House Tea Room, which was built in the 1830's.

Only a short drive from St Thomas, the Tea Room, which is owned and operated by Norma & Ken Roberts, has stood in its currant configuration since 1996, after the Roberts fell in love with Sparta and renovated the sprawling manor, which has served as hotel, general and hardware store and even funeral home before becoming a tearoom.

"Sparta is a hidden gem, it really is, there is nowhere else like it in Ontario," says Norma Roberts. "The structure alone is very, very interesting. It's a beautiful building: I knew I was meant to have this building."

But its not just the building that attracts customers from all over the world - Roberts says that being British herself draws a lot of United Kingdom folks, but the pull extends both closer to home and further afield than that. It's the tea, scones, British fare and atmosphere that brings people in.

Be sure to stop into the tearoom and say 'hello' to the Roberts, walk in's are encouraged and welcomed.

In addition to having the largest teapot collection in Southwestern Ontario - numbered at over 450! - Sparta House has a wonderfully unique selection of offerings for those who want to get in touch with their English roots.

"People's taste buds change with the weather, but all my dishes are popular; we make all our dishes here on site."

Those dishes include roast beef and Yorkshire Pudding, with all the trimmings on Sundays; the daily quiche creation: chicken, veg, steak or steak and kidney pie, with traditional puff pastry; scouse, which is a Liverpool variation of Irish Stew; a variety of soups, sandwiches, and salads; and the very British Cornish Pastie; bangers and mash and ploughmans' lunch, which includes a selection of cold cuts, bread, cheese and pickles. The later is wrapped in a checkered cloth to reflect the tradition of farm wives wrapping their beloved's lunch in such a cloth to take into the fields.

adapted from an article in Elgin Tourism Guide 2015

Being a tearoom, they also serve different manners of tea, be Afternoon Cream Tea - which is more relaxed and served with raisin scones, layered in cream, preserves and fruit - or High Tea. High Tea, which is a grander affair often surprises customers. "It blows their mind, it really does," says Roberts. "They take photographs of it!" Tea paired with a selection of eight to ten bite sized samples of deserts or sandwiches, which are served on tiered cake stands, making photo opportunities too good to pass up.

The Sparta House also does a special Mystic High Tea & Tarot, where the delightful lunch is paired with a tarot card reading.

Roberts also hosts other special events during the year, such as Downton Abbey, and Coronation Street themed events, baby or wedding showers for royal arrivals and nuptials, trivia and 'Brit' nights with live entertainment.

Roberts is quick to put in a word about all the wonderful attractions to see in this small community. "Everyone is so friendly and we all work together as local merchants and support each other," she says. "That's one of the good things about living in a small community, everybody is here to help each other."

So, "leave the rat race behind and discover the timeless village of Sparta."

History of Sparta House

Historical Sparta Tearoom - A Unique Experience!
The Sparta House was constructed during the years 1838 - 1840 by David Mills. It was originally built and operated as a hotel. However, Mills was to be the only owner of the building to use it for this purpose.

At the time of it's construction, the Sparta House was considered to be quite a grand structure, with its colonial trappings and double decked verandah.
It also incorporated a ballroom of considerable size on the upper floor. After Mills moved on, the building was purchased by Ira Hilborn for use as a general store.

In 1859, Louis Moedinger Sr. started an undertaking establishment in the neighbouring "Abbey". His son Lewis took over the business and purchased the west end of the Sparta House for use as an undertaking and hardware establishment. Moedinger Jr. eventually came to own the entire building.
During the Moedinger era, the Sparta House became established as more than just a first class hardware store. It also became known as a place where the community could gather around the large central stove and spend time gossiping or discussing the important issues of the day.

From the 1960's on, the Sparta House was home to a number of commercial establishments. Sporadically falling into various states of disrepair.
The upper verandah disappeared and reappeared during this time. More recently, the building has gone through various incarnations as a Tearoom/Restaurant.

SPARTA HOUSE TODAY

The Sparta House has now been painstakingly restored to its former glory and is ready to once again welcome its local customers, as well as those who are here to enjoy this "Historic Building" for the first time. In addition to the Sparta House Tearoom/Restaurant, the historic village of Sparta offers a selection of antique, craft and gift stores. It is also home to artist studios and galleries.

Many buildings throughout the village have information on their history posted outside and form part of a historic walking tour. With Port Stanley and Port Bruce within easy driving distance, Sparta offers an interesting and relaxing stop on any excursion.