Tealuxe facts for kids
Tealuxe was a chain of tea houses, which are like cafes but specialize in tea. It was started in Massachusetts in 1996 by two people named Bruce Fernie and Katherine Walsh. Their first shop was in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over time, Tealuxe grew and opened stores in the Boston area, New York, and Rhode Island. The company operated until 2019. Its very last store, located in Providence, Rhode Island, closed that year.
Contents
The Story of Tealuxe
Tealuxe was founded in Massachusetts in 1996. Bruce Fernie and Katherine Walsh were the founders. They wanted to create a tea house that felt like a cozy French cafe.
Early Growth
In 1999, Tealuxe opened its second location. This new shop was in Back Bay, Boston. It stayed open for about 11 years, closing in 2010. By the year 2000, Tealuxe also began opening stores in New York City.
Company Ownership
In 2000, the founders, Fernie and Walsh, sold part of their company. They sold control to a business group in Boston. This group helped the company grow even more.
Success and Recognition
In 2001, Tealuxe reported good sales. Their busiest store made between $1 million and $1.2 million in a year. This was similar to what a Starbucks store might earn at that time.
In 2010, Tealuxe received a special award. Yankee Magazine named it one of the "Best 5 New England Teahouses." This was a great honor for the company.
Closing Stores
The very first Tealuxe store in Harvard Square closed in December 2018. It had been open for 19 years. The last Tealuxe location was in Providence, Rhode Island. It closed its doors in June 2019.
Not Related
There was another tea company in Canada called Tealux. It had no "e" at the end of its name. This company changed its name to Tealyra in 2014. It was not connected to the Tealuxe chain from the United States.
