Breaking News
Shops, lounge open at La Posada
 |
| La Posada residents mingle in the art lounge during a recent open house at the La Posada Shoppes. The complex is open to the public. Photo by Ellen Sussman/Special to the Green Valley News |
By Ellen Sussman
Special to the Green Valley News
Coffee, tea, lattes, pastries and other goodies; furniture and furnishings plus a barber shop are the interesting mix at three open-to-the-public shops on La Posada’s 100-acre campus.
Posada Java, the Vensel Treasure Shoppe and the Barber Shoppe are opening one at a time, and as of Friday all will be open to the public with a grand opening.
There also is an art lounge — with a baby grand piano — that showcases rotating exhibits of residents’ art work, pottery and sculptures. A scenic courtyard with tables and chairs, plants, a fountain and colorful tile work connects the shops and lounge area.
Posada Java has a view of the Santa Rita Mountains and serves a variety of drinks plus sticky buns, brownies, muffins, pastries and pie. Baking is done by La Posada’s on-site bakers, and more than coffee and tea there are malts, floats, espressos and lattes along with four rotating flavors of ice cream.
“It’s a fun and meaningful place for residents and the public to come to. We have ‘what-do-you-want-to-see’ cards so we can know what to add,” La Posada’s CEO Lisa Israel said.
Posada Java’s retro 1940s-style tables and chair backs with a swirl design complement the light fixture and circular shoppe. Colorful coffee mugs with the La Posada logo and art by Tucson artist Diana Madaras are for sale along with other gift items.
The Shoppes, managed by local resident Mary Fisher, are largely volunteer-run.
The Shoppes, art lounge and courtyard concept originated when residents Lee and Christine Vensel made a significant donation to expand the former Treasure Shop.
“That was the start, and we named the Treasure Shoppe in their honor,” Israel said.
“And I thought it would be nice to have a tea room,” Israel added. “Then I was told, ‘Men don’t drink tea,’ so we created Posada Java.”
On a tour of the new indoor/outdoor complex, Israel and Fisher showed off the 4,000-square-foot Treasure Shoppe, which has its own receiving area and computers to record inventory and sales.
Furniture and home accessories from La Posada residents and the public may be donated or placed on consignment.
“We’re aiming for things that are different from the White Elephant (thrift shop). All money made is circular; it goes around. Everything helps something else at La Posada,” Israel said.
Greg Hoiles, the son of a resident, is the on-site barber and has had a barber shop at La Perla for several years.
Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.
Grand opening
The Shoppes at La Posada mark their grand opening Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., with an appearance by Daniel Buck Soules, appraise on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.” The shops are at Continental and Whitehouse Canyon roads, Volunteers from outside La Posada are welcome, and can apply by calling 648-4082.
Posada Java
Open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barber Shoppe
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vensel Treasure Shoppe
Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Coffee, tea, lattes, pastries and other goodies; furniture and furnishings plus a barber shop are the interesting mix at three open-to-the-public shops on La Posada’s 100-acre campus.
Posada Java, the Vensel Treasure Shoppe and the Barber Shoppe are opening one at a time, and as of Friday all will be open to the public with a grand opening.
There also is an art lounge — with a baby grand piano — that showcases rotating exhibits of residents’ art work, pottery and sculptures. A scenic courtyard with tables and chairs, plants, a fountain and colorful tile work connects the shops and lounge area.
Posada Java has a view of the Santa Rita Mountains and serves a variety of drinks plus sticky buns, brownies, muffins, pastries and pie. Baking is done by La Posada’s on-site bakers, and more than coffee and tea there are malts, floats, espressos and lattes along with four rotating flavors of ice cream.
“It’s a fun and meaningful place for residents and the public to come to. We have ‘what-do-you-want-to-see’ cards so we can know what to add,” La Posada’s CEO Lisa Israel said.
Posada Java’s retro 1940s-style tables and chair backs with a swirl design complement the light fixture and circular shoppe. Colorful coffee mugs with the La Posada logo and art by Tucson artist Diana Madaras are for sale along with other gift items.
The Shoppes, managed by local resident Mary Fisher, are largely volunteer-run.
The Shoppes, art lounge and courtyard concept originated when residents Lee and Christine Vensel made a significant donation to expand the former Treasure Shop.
“That was the start, and we named the Treasure Shoppe in their honor,” Israel said.
“And I thought it would be nice to have a tea room,” Israel added. “Then I was told, ‘Men don’t drink tea,’ so we created Posada Java.”
On a tour of the new indoor/outdoor complex, Israel and Fisher showed off the 4,000-square-foot Treasure Shoppe, which has its own receiving area and computers to record inventory and sales.
Furniture and home accessories from La Posada residents and the public may be donated or placed on consignment.
“We’re aiming for things that are different from the White Elephant (thrift shop). All money made is circular; it goes around. Everything helps something else at La Posada,” Israel said.
Greg Hoiles, the son of a resident, is the on-site barber and has had a barber shop at La Perla for several years.
Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.
Grand opening
The Shoppes at La Posada mark their grand opening Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., with an appearance by Daniel Buck Soules, appraise on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.” The shops are at Continental and Whitehouse Canyon roads, Volunteers from outside La Posada are welcome, and can apply by calling 648-4082.
Posada Java
Open Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barber Shoppe
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vensel Treasure Shoppe
Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Copyright © 2009 - Green Valley News and Sun