The Innes Tea Room

By Janet Roberts

I remember going to Innes’ Tea Room for lunch with my friend, Patty, when we were twelve or thirteen years old.  I’m not sure, but I think our mothers may have suggested this excursion and undoubtedly provided guidance and other material support.

It was, for us at that age, quite a big deal.  I remember wearing a “dress-up” dress with hose.  That may have been the first time I ever wore hose and heels.  The hose had dark seams that ran up the back so it was a challenge to get them on with the seams running straight up and down the back of my legs.  Also, we had to hook the top of the hose to garter belts since this was before the advent of pantyhose.  What a project!

I guess we didn’t want to overlook any detail because I remember a straw hat festooned with a ribbon and lacy white gloves.  Wow!  I don’t know if I ever was that dressed up again except for proms and my wedding.

Then, there was the walk to the bus stop which, fortunately, wasn’t too far away since I found walking in heels to be maddeningly difficult.  I’m sure a passerby would have been amused watching us wobbling up the street. 

Riding the bus was a first for me.  I guess we were really establishing our independence since our mothers did not drive us uptown.  Up until then the only means of transportation for me were walking, riding my bike, or in the car with my parents or my friends’ parents.  Somehow we managed to get off the bus near Innes and made our way up the escalator inside.

In my memory the tea room was beautiful.  There were white linen tablecloths and real flowers in delicate little vases in the middle of the table.  This seemed to me to be the height of luxury.  I don’t remember what we had to eat but I was favorably impressed.  I remember that the hostess and waitress were friendly and respectful.  It was a memorable day and brought some of the first hints of what it would mean to be an adult woman in Wichita.  Life would not be limited to only domestic chores in the home.  There would be excursions to be made and pleasant meetings with friends in elegant surroundings.  Life was good.