Clarks Summit bakery offers a bite of Welsh culture

Aug. 9—Experience the charm of Wales without the trip across the pond.

Northeast Pennsylvania residents can get their fix of tea, pastries and more inside the Welsh Tea Shoppe, 312 S. State St., Clarks Summit.

The cozy spot was initially launched by Welsh-Americans Stephanie Roby, her sister, Courtney, and their mother, Beth Morris-Roby, in April 2021 as an online marketplace for Welsh cookies, other baked goods and tea. The business grew so much that the Robys needed to expand to a physical location in the borough earlier this year. They chose to open their business on a day special to Welsh people, March 1, which is St. David's Day, or feast day of the patron saint of Wales.

As an homage to their heritage, the bakery serves up a large variety of Welsh cookies, quick breads, crumpets, fudge and hot tea.

Chef's Table recently spoke to Stephanie Roby about this Clarks Summit bakery.

Q: What is the history of the Welsh Tea Shoppe?

A: Every year at Christmas, I would bake with my grandmother, Harriet Morris, including her favorite, Welsh cookies. At first, I only watched in fascination as our grandmother would hand-mix, roll and griddle her delicious Welsh cookies. They would make dozens of them and no matter how much they would make, the cookies would be gone in two days.

The time spent with my grandmother grew my passion for baking that I turned into a career. In May 2012, I earned an associate degree in baking science from International Culinary Institute, San Diego, California. After the loss of my grandmother in 2013, I honored her memory by sharing those Welsh cookies with others.

In 2018, we moved to Clarks Summit and found out it has a sister city in Wales, Ystradgynlais. We determined it was the perfect place to launch the Welsh Tea Shoppe. In 2021, we began operating under a limited food establishment by converting the residential kitchen into a commercial kitchen and selling at local events. By the end of 2021, we needed a bigger kitchen space. We opened the storefront on State Street on March 1, aka St. David's Day.

Q: What would you consider to be your most popular item in the shoppe?

A: Our most popular are Traditional Welsh Cookies made with nutmeg and currants. Also popular are lemon blueberry and orange cranberry.

Q: You make several kinds of Welsh cookies. What's your favorite?

A: Each of us has a different favorite. Courtney's favorite is lemon which is made with lemon oil and lemon chips. Beth's favorite hands down is the traditional made with currants and nutmeg. My favorite would be Apple Pie. I love to take one and pop it in the toaster to warm it up then add whipped cream, caramel sauce and walnuts. It tastes just like the apple pie grandma used to make.

Q: How would you describe the shoppe's atmosphere?

A: When you walk into the Welsh Tea Shoppe, many have described it as warm and welcoming — as if you are coming home. The shake shingle wood planks on the wall give the place that old rustic feel that you would get if you walked into a pub in Wales. We welcome every guest with either "Bore Da" ("Boar eh Dah") which means "good morning" in Welsh or "Prynhawn Da" ("Prin How Da") which is "good afternoon." There are all kinds of black-and-white photos on the walls of family members and local mines, which adds to the old-time feel of the place. Also, each picture has a story. Customers will also notice the beautiful stained glass created by local artist Gwyneth Steele. In the center of the stained glass is the Welsh Dragon surrounded by gorgeous daffodils and says "Wales" on the top and "Cymru" (or "Wales" in Welsh.) The window sits in between two-family tartans: one for our grandmother, Harriet Morris, whose maiden name was James, and one for our grandfather, Robert Morris.

Q: Do you have seating?

A: While we are not a sit-down establishment, we do have a couple places for you to sit and wait while your tea is steepingand enjoy the view out of our giant bay window.

Q: Do you have any special events or appearances coming up?

A: Yes, just about every weekend you can find us at different local events, farmers markets, or local flea fairs. But our most exciting news is, this year, for the first time, you will be able to find us at the Harford Fair from Aug. 14-19.

Q: Tell us about your online ordering.

A: Through our website you can place orders for local delivery within a 30-mile radius of the Shoppe, local pick-up, or shipping throughout the United States. There is a $5 delivery fee and $10 for shipping, with free shipping for orders over $50. For local delivery, when you go to checkout make sure to hit "local delivery" and it will determine if your address is within our 30-mile radius.

Q: Where do you see the shoppe headed?

A: We are looking to expand our gluten-free line to more than just Welsh cookies. There has also been a marked interest in loose leaf tea and we are researching that to hopefully offer it.

Our three-to-five-year business plan is to open up a second location where we will be able to serve traditional Celtic hot meals such as Pasties, Glamorgan Sausages (vegetarian sausage made from leeks, cheese and breadcrumbs), Shepherd's Pie, Cottage Pie, Cawl (a lamb stew) ,Pork Meatballs in Gravy and more.

Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.