Garraway's Coffee House facts for kids
Garraway's Coffee House was a famous meeting spot in London. It was located in an area called Exchange Alley. In the 17th and 18th centuries, coffee houses were very important. People went there not just for drinks, but also to do business.
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What Was Garraway's Coffee House?
Garraway's was one of London's most well-known coffee houses. It was a place where people met, shared news, and traded. These coffee houses were like modern-day offices or social clubs.
A Place for New Ideas and Business
The owner of Garraway's was Thomas Garway. He was a very important person in the history of tea. Before opening the coffee house, he was already known for selling tea.
First Tea and Fur Sales
In 1657, Thomas Garway started selling tea at Garraway's. This made it the very first place in England to sell tea. Later, in 1671, something else big happened there. The Hudson's Bay Company held its first sale of furs at Garraway's. This shows how important the coffee house was for trade.
Famous Visitors and Food
Different types of business people liked different coffee houses. Tea merchants often went to Garraway's. Many investors who were part of a major financial event in the 1710s also met there.
The coffee house became very popular for its sandwiches and drinks. People even said that the person making sandwiches spent two hours preparing the food each day!
Literary Connections
Garraway's Coffee House was so famous that it appeared in books. The well-known writer Charles Dickens mentioned Garraway's many times in his stories. Another famous writer, Daniel Defoe, also wrote about it. He said that wealthy traders from the City of London often visited Garraway's.
