Photo courtesy of Peg Raney

A downtown Jefferson business that was forced to close earlier this year is looking to make a return.

Angie’s Tea Garden has been closed since this past February, when a water line from the vacant upper-story apartment broke and flooded the main floor restaurant with 4,000-gallons of water. Since then, a feasibility study was done by Greene County Development Corporation and the Jefferson City Council recently purchased the building from John Copeland. 

Now a new piece of the puzzle has been filled in with a private investment group. Why Not Us is a group of 48 women who have come together to own the property once the City is done with the repairs. What started as a grassroots endeavor has grown to include nearly 50 women to bring back what they refer to as a tourist attraction that has been sorely missed in the community since it closed.

Angie’s Tea Garden has been in operation for over 19 years before it closed and owner Angie Peterson was approached about re-opening the tea room and she indicated that she wants to return and will make a long term commitment. Why Not Us is working with the City on the project. If any women are interested in joining as an investor, contact any board member, including: Peg Raney, Rita Pedersen, Debra McGinn, Carol Zwicky, Jeanne Myers, Karen Voge-Perkins, Shirley Stapleton, Ruth Freeman, Ginny Showman and Jacque Andrew.