MARYSVILLE — Attic Secrets, located in Suite 101 at 4229 76th St. NE, won second place for the top five tea houses in King 5’s “Best of Western Washington” contest for 2009.

Happi Favro opened Attic Secrets in 1991, making it the oldest tea room in Snohomish County. She thanked her customers for their support, noting that the contest drew more than 190,000 votes.

“It’s been exciting for us,” Favro said. “We offer great food and a great environment, and we really mother our customers. We also do home deliveries for our older customers and donate to charities to give back to the community.”

Favro started in the restaurant business at the age of 15 and decided that she liked the creative opportunities of owning her own business. She touted Attic Secrets’ full-service menu, noting that it serves more than just tea and added that she sees plenty of customers who have become daily regulars for lunch.

A mom herself, Favro spoke of both her customers and her employees as being an extended family.

“We work to fit family lifestyles,” Favro said. “I want my employees to be able to take time off to go to school plays. Most of them have been here five-plus years.”

Favro has also provided a shoulder to lean on for customers who want to talk and cited the number of hours that she’s spent sitting with them discussing everything from relationships to cancer treatments.

Attic Secrets is open for birthday parties and other special event bookings, which Favro works with customers to ensure fit their budgets and their personalities. It also includes a gift shop with sweets.

“Like a secret, we’re tucked away here in town, but when people stumble upon us they pass it on to others,” Favro said.

Attic Secrets is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. From more information, call 360-659-7305, e-mail atticsecrets_tearoom@yahoo.com or log onto www.atticsecrets.com.