The Harney family is living proof that you can create and grow a global business from our neck of the woods. The Salisbury-based clan who run their tea empire from headquarters in Millerton have developed some royal connections, blending special teas for Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. Their newest tea in this line (which is sold at the aforementioned historic sites' gift shops) is the Royal Wedding Tea ($12 for 30 sachets) that the Harneys describe as "Chinese mutan white tea buds, with almond, coconut and vanilla to taste, and a floral abundance of pink rosebuds and petals." It joins other royal teas such as the Tower of London blend (Chinese black tea with honey flavor) and Palace Garden Chamomille (which has a hint of green apple.)
"We got the Royal Wedding tea ready just in time!" says Brigitte Harney, who manages the Millerton tasting room with her son Alex. Meanwhile, her son Emeric (right) is managing the big SoHo shop that the family opened last November on Broome Street in New York City. "Rob Bristow and Pilar Proffitt of Lakeville helped us with the design," says Brigitte. "It's very beautiful. It's so much larger than our Millerton store that it feels more like a gallery than a shop. We're going to make it a little more cozy." Harney Tea Rooms13 Main Street, Millerton, NY; 518.789.2121 Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 433 Broome Street, NYC; 212.933.4853Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
