Cora Glass divorce might well have been a blessing in disguise. After her split, the Spokane administrative assistant decided to try something new in life.


That something new ended up being the launch of an eclectic downtown business venture called Intermezzo, perhaps the only place around where one can go to ballroom dance; have tea, lunch or just dessert; and shop for giftware, jewelry, and vintage clothing.


Located at 151 S. Washington, Intermezzo has been open nearly two and a half years. Glass, who always has enjoyed cooking and entertaining, went out on a limb to open the business, after spending most of her career doing office work.


She says she decided to open Intermezzo because shed had a hard time finding dance shoes, dance clothes, and even a place to dance for her daughter Sarah, a competitive Latin ballroom dancer.


But this place is more than a dance store. The store is one large room consisting of the boutique, dance floor, and tea room. Visitors are greeted by a guest book when they walk in the door, on the boutique side of the room. What may first catch their eye is all the trinkets scattered around the building. Jewelry, dishes, clothing, and other old and new knickknacks are placed throughout in hutches, on tables and even on an old grand piano. The large hardwood dance floor in the middle of the room also displays a number of items and clothing. Fancy evening gowns and sparkly dance outfits are hung on the walls and pillars around the dance floor. The opposite end of the room is decorated like a Victorian tea room or dining room, with several tables set up with elegant china, silverware and linens, and swank lamps hanging above them. Surrounding a fireplace mantel is a beautiful scene painted on the wall to give guests the feeling theyre enjoying a sunny, warm day in the mountains.


Business has been characteristically slow throughout the summer, but Glass expects things to pick back up now that schools are open and fall is approaching. She says fall and winter are her busy seasons, as colder temperatures lure more people in to enjoy a cup of tea, and college kids are back in town looking for a Saturday-night activity.


Glass plans to begin offering Saturday-night ballroom dancing next month, after a summer hiatus. The earlier hours of the evening usually attract an older crowd, but younger people come in to swing dance later in the evening, sometimes staying until 1 a.m., she says. Intermezzo charges just $5 to dance on Saturday nights, though admission is free if you buy a dessert.


Glass also expects her Sunday-afternoon tea dances to pick back up.


When shes not busy serving tea and dessert and watching people dance the night away, Glass serves lunches during the day, and oftentimes hosts special gatherings for occasions such as bridal showers, family reunions, and Red Hat Society ladies-club meetings, which can be most entertaining. The ladies, dressed in red hats, of course, and feather boas, sometimes do Conga lines on the dance floor, or come more dressed down for a pajama party. They even get a giggle out of pinching their passing server.


Theyre just wild and crazy gals, Glass says.


Glass also hosts birthday parties and teas for children and school-aged groups, who sit at kid-sized tables. She says she usually tries to educate the school kids about traditions, and incorporates some history of the city into the tea party, such as when people had teas regularly and visited each others homes on certain days. She also does company Christmas parties and has done a wedding and reception.


Those who come in for lunch have a choice of either a light lunch or the elegant, high tea lunch. The light lunch consists of a deli sandwich, salad, and dessert, whereas the elegant lunch includes scones, jams, jellies, a variety of salads and teas, and, of course, homemade dessert. Glass says she makes a pie and a cake every day. Other desserts she makes include bread pudding and cheesecake. When its cold outside, she sometimes serves soup.


Glass serves Victorian-style teas and lunches on fancy china, with real silverware, and linens, which she has collected over the years. Glass always has had a flair for the Victorian era. A few years ago she completely restored a 5,000-square-foot Victorian-style home in Brownes Addition.


She says Intermezzo isnt a typical restaurant where customers come in, eat, and leave. Those who arent regulars usually introduce themselves to her, and some groups that come in for lunch or tea end up staying for two or three hours.


People come in and they feel very comfortable, Glass says.


She says she doesnt serve dinner because her kitchen isnt big enough.


I just cant decide if I want to be that busy, says Glass, who runs the business by herself with help from 18-year-old Sarah, her 17-year-old son, and an occasional server. And the store is becoming busier, as more people are now stopping in just to shop, rather than just shopping after having lunch or dancing.


Shoppers can browse the numerous unique items in the store, including eveningwear, club wear, dance clothes and shoes, vintage clothing, ballroom costumes, and gifts such as teacups, teapots, jewelry, and more.


Glass says she has a couple consigners bring things into the store, so she sells both new and used items. Other items come from several of her friends who are in the antique business.


I think its pretty unique, Glass says.


Even when there are no dancers, theres always old jazz or other music playing in the background, which sometimes is overpowered by the two canaries, who let you know when one of their favorite songs is playing. Their favorite music is jazz and swing, she says.


They take off singing, Glass says.


She says shes always thinking of different things to do at the business. Last winter, she offered a game day once a week, which proved to be fairly popular.


Intermezzo is open Tuesday through Friday and on Sunday. The boutique hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.