About Elmwood Inn Fine Teas

The Elmwood Inn Fine Teas story began in 1990 when Shelley Richardson opened a tea room in the Civil War village of Perryville, Kentucky - just as the American tea renaissance was about to awaken. For the next 14 years, Elmwood Inn developed an international reputation as one of America's favorite locations for a traditional afternoon tea. Bruce and Shelley Richardson chronicled the early stage of their life in tea through three books and eventually launched a tea importing and wholesale packaging company - Elmwood Inn Fine Teas. After serving thousands of guests, the tea room closed on July 31, 2004, in order for the family business to focus on their expanding tea wholesale business, managed by their son Ben. Today, from their new Danville, Kentucky facility, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas LLC imports, blends and packages teas for retailers, gourmet grocers, restaurants, tea bars, coffee bars, hotels, and museums across North America. Shelley and Bruce Richardson have now authored 14 tea books and continue to inspire enthusiastic audiences as they appear at festivals, universities, and cultural events across the globe. Meet the Richardsons at these upcoming events. "Our goals are to explore the globe in search of extraordinary teas, to honor and respect the people who work to produce those teas, and to offer exceptional teas to a world thirsting for peace and equality. We are committed to sharing the ideal that tea is a lifestyle; not a commodity." Read their story