In a world so rushed people feel the need to use initials instead of complete words to communicate, the name of Greensburg's new tea house, The Victorian Lady of Academy Hill Tea Parlor and Gifts, seems almost hopelessly old-fashioned.

But that's sort of the point, said Jeff Kornides, who along with his wife, Carol, own the house. They want visitors to feel as though they've stepped back in time when they come for afternoon tea in one of the charming rooms of the 1884 Queen Anne-style house where teapots, pearls and silk flowers take center stage.

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Jeff and Carol Kornides, of Latrobe, bought a Queen-Anne style house in Greensburg and turned it into the Victorian Lady of Academy Hill Tea Parlor and Gifts. Click photo for larger image.

It all started about three years ago when Mr. Kornides noticed a for sale sign on the house at 356 N. Main St. he'd always liked. He called his wife and told her.

Maybe this, they felt, was the time to take that leap to fulfill their dream to buy a Victorian house, restore it and open a tea room.

"We thought we'd do this when we retired," Mrs. Kornides, 48, said. Her husband is 50 and both work for Allegheny Power in Greensburg.

But they figured chances like this don't come too often, so the antique-loving couple, who live in Latrobe, bought the house.

First they had to get the city's blessing to open a tea room in a residential, historic neighborhood.

The Academy Hill area is on Greensburg's northern fringe, and stately Victorians line North Main Street and the side streets of the neighborhood. They would need a variance to operate the tea room.

So after many months of discussion with Greensburg's zoning office, the Kornides got a special designation, Mrs. Kornides said. The house can be used as a residence or as a tea room. It can have no other commercial use.

They had the exterior painted, changing from red to a more historically accurate green with pink trim. Mr. Kornides got busy stripping paint off hall, parlor and dining room woodwork and pocket doors while workmen installed a tin ceiling in the hall and an entire sun room addition where a porch had been.

Carpeting was pulled up to reveal hardwood floors.

Stains remain on the floors near windows and where the door to the old porch would have been, Mrs. Kornides pointed out. Those are water stains from plants former owners put near the windows and doors.

In April, with permits in place and proper furnishings, window treatments and table settings ready, their tea room finally opened.

For now, the tea parlor is open only on weekends, by reservation. However, passersby may use the gift shop when the tea room is open. In the shop, a visitor can buy elegant loose teas -- there are no tea bags here -- plus pots to brew the beverages, books about tea and Victoriana.

They offer afternoon tea, a full, luncheon-type tea featuring scones, tea sandwiches and desserts, or "Cream Tea," a lighter version with scones and fruit.

Vivian Lauffer, a Greensburg baker, does the desserts, including the tea house signature cookie, the White Vivian, a melt-in- the-mouth confection of white chocolate, almond flavoring and chopped maraschino cherries.

Mrs. Kornides does the rest of the cooking, including making the lemon curd served with the scones.

Growing up, Mrs. Kornides had tea with her English grandparents many afternoons, so the sweets and savories she serves at her tea parlor are authentic and based on ones she had as a child.

Re-creating the treats for a proper tea is just one part of the experience, though, she said.

"We want everyone to come here and relax," Mrs. Kornides said.

Elaine Konowalski, a part-time employee and friend of the couple, said it's true. The place lets you leave the 21st century behind.

"I love it when I come to work. It's so relaxing and your worries go away," she said.

For further information about The Victorian Lady of Academy Hill Tea Parlor and Gifts call 724-832-8255.