About Annapolis Tea Company
Mission Statement
Annapolis Tea Company searches for the highest of quality teas and tea products that are
available in the world so that we can offer them to our customers. We bring unique tea
experiences through education and awareness to promote health and wellbeing. We strive to
offer the very best of products and service.
Annapolis Tea Company searches for the highest of quality teas and tea products that are
available in the world so that we can offer them to our customers. We bring unique tea
experiences through education and awareness to promote health and wellbeing. We strive to
offer the very best of products and service.
About Us
| Annapolis Tea Company |
ATeaCo History
The Annapolis Tea Company, or ATeaCo for short, started as a home-based internet
company in January 2007. The response from friends and family about the quality of the
products were overwhelming. Sales naturally increased to the point where customers in the local
area suggested that we open a traditional “brick” establishment to complement the “click” web-
based store. After repeated requests from customers, we found our current store located in the
Scottsdale Shopping Center of Albuquerque, NM. Construction and remodeling of the retail
lease space started in June of 2007 and by November 2007, the ATeaCo tea house and retail
store will open. Meanwhile, we also opened a retail store at the Base Exchange at Kirtland Air
Force Base in September 2007. In less than a year, we went from an internet store to adding
two retail locations in the Albuquerque NM area.
The Annapolis Tea Company, or ATeaCo for short, started as a home-based internet
company in January 2007. The response from friends and family about the quality of the
products were overwhelming. Sales naturally increased to the point where customers in the local
area suggested that we open a traditional “brick” establishment to complement the “click” web-
based store. After repeated requests from customers, we found our current store located in the
Scottsdale Shopping Center of Albuquerque, NM. Construction and remodeling of the retail
lease space started in June of 2007 and by November 2007, the ATeaCo tea house and retail
store will open. Meanwhile, we also opened a retail store at the Base Exchange at Kirtland Air
Force Base in September 2007. In less than a year, we went from an internet store to adding
two retail locations in the Albuquerque NM area.
About the Owner
Although ATeaCo is a limited liability company, the principle owner is Amy Lee. Amy has a
BA in East Asian Languages and Literature from the University of Florida. She speaks three
languages: Korean and Japanese in addition to her native English. She has traveled through
most of the states in the US to include Alaska and Hawaii and resided in Maryland, Virginia,
Ohio, Florida, Texas, and New Mexico. She also enjoys traveling outside of the US. She
studied in Korea, lived and worked in Japan, traveled to England, Wales, France, Hong Kong,
and Canada. Her love and fascination for tea started from her travels to far off lands where she
was enlightened on how much the rest of the world enjoyed tea. From intricate ceremonies to
taking time out of the day to simply relax and drink tea, she began to immerse herself in the
enjoyment of this timeless beverage. She started to learn more about tea as she soon realized
that regardless of where she went, East Asia or Europe, people enjoyed quality tea. To share
her love for this drink, she decided to start a business selling high quality whole leaf
teas...something the average American was not accustomed to.
Amy is a member of the Tea USA Association and certified by the Specialty Tea Institute,
level I, II, and III, the highest certification in their professional series. She hopes share her
knowledge and passion for tea with many people she comes in contact
Why Annapolis Tea Company?
Many of our customers ask, “Why is it called ‘Annapolis Tea Company’ when you are located in
Albuquerque?” Most assume that ATeaCo is a chain based in Annapolis, MD. In reality,
ATeaCo is based out of Albuquerque. The owner chose the name because she grew up in
Annapolis and had fond memories of her youth. In addition, Annapolis was also the sight of a
“tea party” opposing the taxation by the British, much like that of the Boston Tea Party, but not
so well known. In the Annapolis Tea Party, Anthony Stewart, owner of the ship Peggy Stewart,
sailed his ship into ground and burned the ship that included several thousand pounds of tea
himself to avoid an angry mob that opposed British tea for the tax involved. The Annapolitans
have always enjoyed tea. They only opposed the excessive British taxes. Now we can enjoy tea
without the political pressures of our past. In remembrance of the rich history of tea in Annapolis
coupled with the owner’s fond memories, the name was chosen. The shorter, “ATeaCo” was
coined soon thereafter as a quicker and catchier name.
Many of our customers ask, “Why is it called ‘Annapolis Tea Company’ when you are located in
Albuquerque?” Most assume that ATeaCo is a chain based in Annapolis, MD. In reality,
ATeaCo is based out of Albuquerque. The owner chose the name because she grew up in
Annapolis and had fond memories of her youth. In addition, Annapolis was also the sight of a
“tea party” opposing the taxation by the British, much like that of the Boston Tea Party, but not
so well known. In the Annapolis Tea Party, Anthony Stewart, owner of the ship Peggy Stewart,
sailed his ship into ground and burned the ship that included several thousand pounds of tea
himself to avoid an angry mob that opposed British tea for the tax involved. The Annapolitans
have always enjoyed tea. They only opposed the excessive British taxes. Now we can enjoy tea
without the political pressures of our past. In remembrance of the rich history of tea in Annapolis
coupled with the owner’s fond memories, the name was chosen. The shorter, “ATeaCo” was
coined soon thereafter as a quicker and catchier name.
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