Chapels on Whatley was born from Glenn Bartel and Keith Archer’s love of a century old building they purchased in Maylands, a suburb not too far from the Perth city centre in Western Australia. The building was left to decay over several years before they discovered it and saw the potential in its old form.
The building was a labour of love in all the restoration, Glenn and his partner Keith worked consistently over four years to bring it back to its former glory. The building was originally built as a haberdashery, and over 100 years has housed many businesses, from the local grocery, clothing boutique, second hand furniture store to name a few. Finally, being used as the funeral parlor “Chapels” as one of Perth’s more well-known establishments being the first to introduce pre-paid funeral services.
The building was left vacant for many years in a rundown state with white ant damage and structural problems that needed urgent attention. The century old building with its ornate facade set the tone for another passion of Glenn’s that was inspired by his “Amah” in Singapore, this being all things old from the East “Chapels on Whatley” was born – the name from the former use of the building and the concept was part of Glenn’s love of Eastern culture.
The Chapels retail store delivers tea and anything tea related, is constantly evolving and with the addition of the café Chapel’s now offers a unique dining experience based on the Eurasian heritage of the owner.
The selection of tea from their range of more than 200 varieties of “Chapels fine teas” is one of the largest tea offers in Australia. The tea is sourced locally (sencha tea now grown in Northcliffe in WA) and imported from the finest tea gardens throughout China. Chapels has built a good relationship with the owners of these gardens, visiting annually sharpening their tea knowledge in growing and production of blends and to be sure that their purchases come directly from visited tea gardens. These tea blends include White, Yellow, Green, Oolong, Black and Pu-erh tea types.
All the tea ware is personally selected during visits, with the Glass wear (which includes tea pots, infusers, cups and warmers) all designed by Chapels and produced exclusivley in small family businesses they meet during their visits.
The interest that Chapels has stirred has been fantastic with numerous editorials and references appearing in many publications due to the uniqueness of the retail tea concept and what the Café offers.
The cafe delivers an ambiance in line with the existing stores’ focus on service, knowledge on the food, retail range, tea and coffee offer as well as a place of “calm” that delivers a relaxing shopping and dining experience.
Shop online at https://chapelsonwhatley.com.au
Chapels On Whatley
196 Whatley Crescent, Maylands Perth,
Phone: (08) 9272 7738 Fax: (08) 9272 9377 Mobile: 0420 306 537
