Fond memories of childhood trips to the Tiki Tearooms in the Brisbane Arcade with her grandmother were the inspiration for Cassie Barker and her husband Malcolm, to open Nana’s Secret Tearoom late last year.

The shop is a quaint mix of collectables, treasures, and ‘English country’ style tea and food.

“As a child, my grandmother used to take me on trips with her to the Tiki Tearooms and we would wait there and enjoy beautiful home baked goodies while my grandmother had her tea leaves read,” Cassie said. “My grandparents raised me and this place is my tribute to them.”

“I do teacup and tarot readings myself and I wanted this space to have a refined ‘Op-Shop’ feel about it,” she explained. “It’s a place where we have brought together all kinds of collectables, and you will find all sorts of treasures here,” she said. “It is everything we love, all in one space”.

Bursting with quality pre-loved clothing, bric a brac, books, jewellry, handbags, shoes, hats and more, a visit to Nana’s Secret Tearoom is like a step back in time, to an age of refinement and quality. “We have tried to make the shop pretty, without being snobby, and I definitely think it has an ‘out of the way’ English country feel about it.”

Having worked in retail and marketing for most of her career, opening Nana’s Secret Tearoom has been a dream come true for Cassie.

“We chose Nambour because we felt it was the perfect fit for what we wanted to do,” she said. “There is such a focus on art, music and entertainment here and there are more people from all walks of life connecting with the town and each other. We have been incredibly well supported by locals right from the start, but now we are getting more bookings from out of town. I think it is fantastic that people are starting to discover all the hidden gems Nambour has to offer.”

To date, Nana’s Secret Tearoom has been popular for ladies’ get togethers, bridal showers, baby showers, mum and daughters high teas, grandma and granddaughter high teas and daddy daughter dates as well. Another little secret at the Tearoom is teacup readings, tarot card readings and a Psychic/ Medium.

Community Connect is an initiative that is gaining momentum as the space becomes more well known.

“Community Connect is us offering our space to Nambour book clubs, artists, writers and artisans free of charge, for them to hold workshops demonstrating or teaching their craft,” Cassie said. “We have been thrilled by the response and we are looking forward to hosting many more.”

• Nana’s Secret Tearoom 10 Queen Street, Nambour Phone:0477 270 007.