La Tea Dolly gets style makeover

 

La Tea Dolly, a children’s tea shop located at 1637 Lee Road, has been made over by lifestyle guru Peter Ishkhans, the host of Style Network’s Peter Perfect. Taped last fall, the episode will air in February.

Ishkhans, who trained as a portrait artist and began his career as a hair dresser in London, has become an expert at making over a struggling business’s image and giving the owners tools for success. 

Sisters Monica Davis, Sharee Johnson and Harolyn Smith opened La Tea Dolly in 2007. 

"We decided to open our own business after our dog ate the stuffing out of my daughter's doll and she wanted it repaired.  We looked for doll shops and instead found a doll hospital that was cute, but could have been cuter. The idea grew from there," says Davis.

The diversity and affordability of the Heights led the sisters to locate their unique shop here. The store not only sells doll accessories but also hosts special tea parties enabling girls 4-11 to discover their inner princess.

The sisters filled out an online application to be considered for the show and were delighted when the casting director e-mailed them back.

Running a business with family is not always easy, but says Davis, at the end of the day, "Who else would I want to share the success with other than my sisters?"  

We won’t reveal the secrets to La Tea Dolly’s success here.  Tune into the Style Network beginning on Feb. 14 to watch Ishkhans work his magic. Airtimes are Saturday, Feb. 14 at 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. Find the complete schedule at mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/peterperfect.

Deanna Bremer Fisher is executive director of FutureHeights and a 15-year Heights resident.