In 1959 momma and daddy met, then married February 19, 1960. They had 58 years on this earth together.
Pops is in heaven now (we hope), mom will hold him again someday.
Chapter One - Energetic, Dumb, and Ambitious, 1962 thru 1982.
Born and raised in Chickasaw Alabama 1962, I went to Plateau Grade School in Prichard. Our family moved to Blytheville Arkansas in 1971 to be near my sittie (Arabic for grandmother), Labeebe Moore. Mom and pops opened a business called Five Star Specialties (5 stars-Mom, Pops, Mike, Tony & Ricky, Chrissi wasn't born yet). Selling imprinted t-shirts, pens, ball caps, and more, with company's names & logos was a new start for pops who grew up in a Lebanese American, Catholic, loud-arguing, always-cursing, gambling-addicted, yet loving family.
Making friends in the third grade was easy for me, friends still today. I didn't do well in school and considered myself a bad kid, but never got suspended from school or had trouble with the law. Graduating in the bottom 20% of my class of about five-hundred students in 1981, I had no idea what to do with my life, so I moved to Dallas Texas, known at that time as the center of the new technology boom. Having some experience with technology from working on pinball machines for daddy in Blytheville, I enrolled at Devry University but didn't have a passion for it. Mom and pops moved from Blytheville back to Mobile in 1982, so I packed and move back too.
Chapter Two - Young, Wild, and Free, 1982 - 1994
Coming Soon
Anthony D. Moore
Founder and President
I had no idea what I was doing, thought I was opening a quaint Tea Room. With no business experience, not knowing how to write a check, I called momma and said, "they actually have trucks to deliver food, I don't have to go to Delchamps". Ten days before opening, Alec Namam, my cousin, informed me I was opening a restaurant and needed a menu. He wrote it, taught me the recipes, and how to cook. Alec and his team stayed with me for a couple of months to make sure I got on my feet, not asking anything in return, I'm grateful Alec.
I spent seven years with a negative balance in my checking account, up every night calling the bank, checking my balance to see how far behind it was. I once paid my employees with change from the cash register, so you want to open a restaurant huh? I never gave up, believing some day I'd catch up and turn the corner.
In 1999 I was able to buy this building, forever displaying our family name, Zoghby-Moore. Located on Dauphin Street, in the heart of the arts and entertainment district, now considered ground zero for downtown redevelopment.
In 2001, the Archdiocese donated the land in front of the Cathedral Church and Spot of Tea to the City, with the condition no restroom be built, Cathedral Square was born. The city built a crosswalk from our front door to the Cathedral Square, I'm grateful City.
In 2003 Mayor Mike Dow and I shared a vision of a sidewalk café', developed it over a few years, and still evolves today. Mike gave me a Right Of Way agreement for the sidewalk café and tables in the Square, I'm grateful Mike.
In 2009 I built the balcony with a spiral staircase to it, we now seat about one hundred guests outside between all the different spaces.
Today we're considered Mobile's Flagship restaurant, and a bucket list destination for visitors from around the country.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the evolution of the Spot of Tea. We look forward to seeing what the next twenty-seven years brings!
December 7, 2021, we lost a true warrior, gentleman, and God-fearing man, our brother Mark passed of complications associated with dialysis.
He was with the Spot of Tea since December 1994 and played an integral role in our success. Mark was gentle, kind, respectful, and charismatic, people were naturally drawn to him. There were five warriors fighting together in the trenches for over twenty-five years, now there are four.
We'll forever love and miss you, Godspeed.
Rest in Peace Mark
James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endured temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
June 17, 2022, Marshall LaForce, a special member of our Spot of Tea family as well as my family, passed away at 23 years young. He was Lowell’s first cousin & dearest lifelong friend. He was a big brother & protector to Lowell when they were kids, now as adults Lowell officiated Marshall's funeral.
Marshall was a kind, gentle, and respectful young man. He was just starting to find his place in the world & share his radiant smile again. Apparently, his rightful place is in heaven, and that radiant smile is being shared with the other angels.
Because we're selfish we miss you & didn't want you to go. Because we loved you so much, we're mad God took you away so young.
Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today thou shall be with me in paradise.
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