July 21, 2025

We Made Top Workplaces 2025 in New Mexico!

We were voted by our employees and ranked #1 for 2025 Top Workplaces in New Mexico for a small-sized business by Albuquerque Journal!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful employees! As our owners Mary Alice and Daniel Higbie expressed:

“It is your care and concern toward our guests that has always been at the very heart of our Tearoom these twenty-five years, making it a delight to do business. We are blessed to work with each and every one of you. Here’s to the next twenty-five years!”

Employees Celebrate Top Work Places 2025

The Albuquerque Journal did a short spread on the top businesses in each category. We were voted #1 for the small business category. Here is what the article about us had to say:

“A whimsical nature, creativity and dressing up are the norm at the company that earned this year’s Top Workplace award for small-sized businesses.

The St. James Tearoom has been named the best small company to work for in 2025. The recognition comes as the company completes its first quarter century of fostering conversation and connection between people through two-hour tea time reservations.

‘It means a lot,’ said CEO Daniel Higbie. ‘Because it’s employee-voted upon, so we actually view it as a check on our leadership.’

Daniel Higbie’s mother, Mary Alice Higbie, founded the business out of a small office building in Old Town’s Rio Grande Plaza in 1999, motivated by a passion she wanted to share with others.

‘I was always a little tea lady and I never grew up,’ said Founder Mary Alice Higbie with a laugh.

The business launched during the rise of Starbucks and a quick in-and-out service experience that Daniel Higbie called ‘antithetical’ to the slow-it-down tradition of afternoon tea.

The Higbies aimed to offer a sanctuary for people to escape to and enjoy each other’s company, as well as fine tea, private nooks, curtains, vintage furniture, creative designs, whimsical music, a gift shop and a three-tiered spread of savories, breads and sweets.”