Capital Teas

Capital Teas Inc.
Industry
  • Tea
  • Tea Products
Founded 2007 in Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
Founders
  • Peter Martino
  • Manelle Martino
Headquarters Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America
Number of locations
13 Stores (2014)
Area served
Worldwide
Products
  • Tea
  • Teapots
  • Tea Infusers
Website capitalteas.com

Capital Teas, Inc. is an American specialty tea company, headquartered in Annapolis, MD,[1] which primarily sells premium loose tea and tea-related products. The company was founded in 2007[2] by Peter[3] and Manelle Martino and features over 200 types of specialty teas and infusions, many of them unique.

History

The Capital Teas family tradition in the tea trade began in the 1890s with Manelle Martino’s great-great grandfather, Francis Van Reyk,[4] who oversaw one of the first tea estates planted in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Today, Capital Teas features a tea sourced from that very tea estate in the Dimbula region of Sri Lanka, and have named it “Great-Grandfather’s Tea.” Additionally, some of the products offered by Capital Teas are sourced from Elmstock Tea Company in Australia, which is owned and operated by the preceding generation of Manelle Martino’s family. Capital Teas has coined the phrase “stop and smell the teas®” and encourages its customers to smell the selection of teas on the “sniffing wall” in each store.

In March 2014, Capital Teas received a $5 million investment round from Pear Tree Partners, based in Massachusetts, to help grow its business.[5] CEO Peter Martino said "“This gives us the flexibility to concentrate on operations and a consistent and positive customer experience, while expanding the number of locations.” The funding will also be used to grow online sales and increase wholesale business to hotels and to restaurants in the DC Metropolitan area and beyond. Peter and Manelle Martino will retain control of the company.[6]

Locations

Capital Teas currently maintains thirteen stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States as well as an online store that ships internationally. Some locations only sell loose teas and teawares while other locations also sell single cups of tea and gourmet foods. Peter Martino, CEO, plans to add a dozen new stores each year to continue expanding the geographic footprint for Capital Teas.[7]

MD Locations

Annapolis, National Harbor, Towson Town Center, The Mall in Columbia, Bethesda Row, and Bethesda Wildwood[8]

VA Locations

Fairfax (Mosaic), Charlottesville[8]

DC Locations

Dupont Circle(†), Capitol Hill[8]

PA Locations

Rittenhouse Square(†), Suburban Square[8]

(†)Location features BKON brewing equipment[9]

Products

The signature teas of the company are Annapolis Treasures,[10] Sailor’s Delight, and Chesapeake Sunrise, which are all flavored blends of black and green tea. Other popular blends include Roasted Almond[11] and Chai Masala. The company has also introduced Patriot Blends, each named one of the armed forces, and which are also sold through retail outlets at the U.S. Naval Academy.

External links

References