Name: The Victoria Tea Room

Address: 104 E. Whitner St., Anderson

Phone Number: 864.222.8832

Hours: 9 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (???)

Web site: www.thevictoriatearoom.com (coming soon)

What they have: 60-plus teas, light breakfast and lunch, desserts

Owners: Tracy and Trevor Furlong

When you opened: Oct. 25, 2008

Vision of the business: We wanted to bring the best of both of us to a business. Our motto is “Southern hospitality with an English accent.” We both just love tea and wanted a place that was old-fashioned and is like stepping back in time.

Why you decided on downtown Anderson: We just fell in love with what was happening in downtown Anderson. The revitalization efforts are wonderful things to be part of.

What customers are saying: The British folks really like it and those from around here are enjoying that it’s something new and different. People were very excited. They love the tea bar and many are telling us that they have been waiting for something like this to come along for a long time.

What does the future hold: We would love to start tea tasting sessions and tea blending sessions. We might also find a way to do tea evenings with a murder mystery or a Christmas theme. And we are looking forward to working with other downtown establishments to help each other promote downtown.

Name: Metropolis Pizza

Address: 106 E. Whitner St., Anderson

Phone: 864.642.6777

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (subject

What they have: Gourmet pizza with a wide array of toppings and extras

Web: www.metropolispizza.com (coming soon)

Opening date: Oct. 30

Owners: Regan Gore

Vision for business: There is so much lunch traffic down here and pizza was missing from the mix. We are going to try and do specialty pizzas in the future that we will recommend for people on a daily basis. We want to bring pizzas to you so that we separate from the regular cheese and pepperoni you get everywhere else.

Why downtown Anderson: Well, we just moved down here and I really want to be a part of the downtown movement. I have always wanted to be in the city and part of that landscape.

What customers are saying: So far, no complaints. They are excited about having pizza downtown.

What does the future hold: We are playing that by ear. We want to see what people want from us. We might offer delivery or later hours, but we are waiting to hear from people.

Name: Halfway to Habana

Address: 134 N. Main St., Anderson

Phone: 864.369.7000

Hours: Retail: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturay. Closed Sunday. Bar: 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Closed Sunday.

What they have: Cigar and wine bar for pipes and cigars only. No cigarettes allowed expect outside under the alcove. Features fine wines and imported bottled beers. Minimal appetizers and desserts available.

Web: Coming soon

Opening date: Oct. 10, 2008

Owners: Eric Batten, Kyle Bryans, Paolo Varvaro, Debra Beaver Varvaro

Vision for business: Our philosophy is that there is no reason why Anderson cannot have a place of recognition that is comfortable but elegant. It is not pretentious and you don’t have to drive to Atlanta, Greenville, Charlotte or Columbia to get this kind of establishment and service.

Why downtown Anderson: I like downtown and our partners like downtown. You could not find the mystique of that old-world atmosphere anywhere other than downtown. In trying to create that, you couldn’t put it in a new place. It’s like we have been here 15 to 20 years and we want you to feel at home when you come into our home.

What customers are saying: People are happy it’s here. They are surprised it’s in Anderson, but happy it’s here. Their feelings of a quality atmosphere, a quality of detail and the look of something entirely different in Anderson is refreshing.

What does the future hold: As downtown develops, we will develop. We have a five-year plan that we are going to do, but we will not divulge that until we see how downtown develops. We will expand with downtown Anderson.

Name: Burgundy Blues Jazz Club

Address: 132 N. Main St., Anderson

Phone: 864.222.JAZZ (5299)

Hours: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday

What they have: Fine wines, imported beers, full bar to come, full gourmet appetizer menu, live music each Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Private club at $100 a year

Web: www.burgundyblues.com

Opening date: Nov. 5

Owners: Cindy Whitfield

Vision for business: An upscale and fun place to come where you can meet your neighbor or bring you mom and have a nice, quiet atmosphere. We are about the entertainment and the music. We did not what to bring another bar to Anderson.

Why downtown Anderson: Basically, what made me open this club in downtown Anderson was not having to drive all the way to Greenville for great music. Downtown is ready for it and I have been asked time and time again to do something like this. Anderson needs something like this for the 30- and 40-plus crowd.

What customers are saying: They can’t believe the atmosphere, the stage, the sounds and everything. We are non-smoking, but we have a private smoke room in the back for those who want to. It’s somewhere you can go and feel comfortable.

What does the future hold: What we are going to do is what we did from the time we opened the door. I have, as a future plan, to have live music every night. In the meantime, we will do what we can and work toward that.