Tea A Maria grand opening full house and full hearts
Tea A Maria, a little B & B nestled in a valley south east of Cypress River was bustling with activity as Maria Janzen, staff and guests celebrated the official grand opening on Saturday night. The B & B, set inside the former Icelandic Bru Church rings with old-world charm and Maria’s welcoming touch, creating a space that feels both rooted in history and alive with new beginnings.
Dinner tickets were presold and upon your arrival an easel highlighted the seating plan of which table and with whom you would be seated. “When I phoned to book a table for two Maria asked me if I would mind sitting at a larger table with other guests to which I answered sure. She did give a brief explanation of who we would be seated with,” said Doug who had seen the event on social media and thought he and his wife Sonja might enjoy a ride from Winnipeg to the country to try it out. “And like the food, the company and conversation at the table did not disappoint; meeting new people and engaging in new conversations added to the ambiance.”
Dinner began with a pasta salad and a crisp Caesar, followed by a choice of two soups: creamy broccoli or a bright, zesty hamburger vegetable. The main course showcased Tuscan chicken served with al dente pasta, perfectly spiced ribs, and creamy garlic mashed potatoes.
On stage, Arnie Clark of Holland, provided the background music as guests enjoyed their meal and engaged in conversation. Guests arrived from near and far, some drawn by the excitement of Tea A Maria’s grand opening, others gathering to honour personal milestones, creating an evening that blended community celebration with heartfelt family moments.
One table was filled with guests; one from Cypress River, the others from Selkirk, Portage and MacGregor. They are siblings who grew up in Cypress River. They wanted to see and experience once again a building that was true to their Icelandic routes. But, they were also celebrating a special milestone, the 75th birthday of their big brother, Herb Seaver.
Maria was over the moon with the grand opening and the full house that filled the space with energy, laughter and music. She beamed as she shared her gratitude for the outpouring of support from both the local community and neighboring towns. “Business has been really good,” she said with a smile. “We’ve had so many senior buses coming in from surrounding communities, and reservations are rolling in steadily.” One of the night’s most special moments, she added, was seeing former owners Albert and Annette Wytinck in attendance, sharing in the celebration of the new chapter.
The evening left Maria feeling both humbled and inspired. With such a strong start and the continued support of friends, family, and the wider community, she’s confident that this is just the beginning of many more memorable nights to come.
PHOTO CAPTION: There wasn’t an empty seat in the old Bru Church during the grand opening of Tea A Maria held at the B&B located South of Cypress River, MB.
