The owner of Ripon tearoom and Indian bistro Realitea has reflected on 12 years in business.
Sarita McDermott and her team celebrated the anniversary in August, having opened at 84 North Street in 2014.
But the business might never have come to Ripon had Sarita and her husband Paul not stopped for a coffee while travelling to view premises in Easingwold.
Speaking to Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog, Sarita said:
“We were actually on our way to discuss setting up in Easingwold, but we stopped in Ripon for a coffee break.
“When the Easingwold deal fell through we turned our attention to Ripon after our brief positive experience here and the welcome we received.”
The couple soon had another reason to celebrate, discovering they were expecting a baby shortly after securing their premises.
Sarita said:
“After several years of trying, days after we signed the lease of our North Street premises, we discovered I was pregnant and our daughter is now our longest serving employee.”
Since then, Realitea has built a loyal following for its Indian dishes, homemade cakes, coffees and teas.
Sarita said the Covid pandemic and rising business costs have been among the biggest challenges, but support from fellow independent traders has helped.
She said:
“Over the years, various shopkeepers and hospitality owners have all been so kind in either promoting each other, or sharing pieces of equipment and even tables and chairs.”
That collaboration has included evening events with fellow Ripon business The Portly Pig, with Realitea providing picnic food for customers at the taproom.
Sarita said:
“These have been very well attended and have helped to introduce our customers to The Portly Pig, and theirs to Realitea.”
Alongside running the business, Sarita has shared traditions from her native India through local Diwali celebrations, leading Bollywood-style dancers at events at Ripon Library, Market Square and Spa Gardens.
She is now preparing to travel to India to research ideas for an expanded menu, returning ahead of Diwali on 8th November.
While Realitea attracts customers from Harrogate, York and Leeds, some visitors travel from considerably further afield.
Sarita said:
“We have returning customers from New Zealand and Pennsylvania USA, and of course, our fantastic, loyal and encouraging regulars from our beloved Ripon, where we have been amazed by the kindness and support shown to us since the day we opened.”
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, said:
“How lucky it was for Ripon when Sarita and Paul McDermott stopped off for a coffee break in the Cathedral City of the Dales and instantly fell in love with it.
“This moment of serendipity led, in 2014, to Sarita setting up her fantastic business on North Street, while also sharing the joy with her husband of a newborn arrival.
“She is another example of the leading ladies in Ripon whose determination and vision adds considerably to what our city has to offer, making it such a special place to live in, run a business, raise a family and visit.”
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