Made in Connecticut: Simpson & Vail tea company in Brookfield
The Simpson & Vail tea company was founded in 1904 in New York City.
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The Simpson & Vail tea company is an importer and blender of loose teas from across the globe and sits alongside a centuries-old quarry in Brookfield.
The company was founded in 1904 in New York City and imported tea and coffee. After several owners, including Lester Vail, Jim Harron and his wife bought the business in 1979.
It was a struggling company when the Harron's bought it, but Jim steeped himself in the work.
Jim Harron Jr. is now the company's co-CEO. He says there were only about 16 teas carried in the store and now it has grown to more than 400.
"Every tea we have here came from one bush, a similar bush," says Harron.
The number one tea is Earl Grey but there are also fun flavors like bubble gum. There are also blends with benefits like Lemon Tonsil Tamer and Sniffle Slayer.
