LOUISVILLE TEA COMPANY
9305 New LaGrange Rd. • Louisville, KY 40242
502-365-2516 • louisvilleteacompany.com
When Nick and Nicolette Spears opened the Louisville Tea Company in Kentucky’s largest city four years ago, they had one simple goal—to bring high-quality tea to Louisville. “We started small, but people who like tea have just magically found us,” Nicolette says.
Nicolette, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, met Nick when she moved to his hometown of Louisville. “We had set our sights on opening a business,” recalls Nicolette, who previously worked in several tea shops in Arizona. A road trip across the country inspired the couple to open the Louisville Tea Company. Inside the colorful and eclectic shop on New LaGrange Road, more than 150 tins of tea line the walls. Some are sourced from other companies; some the Spearses blend themselves.
Among these are four signature blends they created to appeal to local tastes. Louisville Breakfast is a strong black tea with a light smokiness, a hint of chocolate, and a robust malty finish. Derby City Green is a light blend of green and oolong teas with lemongrass, orange, and spearmint. (Nicolette says it has a mint julep vibe.) Bashford Bedtime, named for local bed-and-breakfast Bashford Manor, has floral overtones with a hint of mint. Kentucky Morning, the Louisville Tea Company’s most popular blend, consists of black tea, orange peel, and cinnamon—perfect for a brisk Kentucky morning. Customers can sample any of the teas before they buy. Small and large cups of tea are available hot or iced, and there are bulk packages to enjoy at home.
Although the teas can be purchased online on their website, the Spearses enjoy the hands-on aspect of their retail store. “In Louisville, we’re a destination place. We like having customers who plan to be here,” Nicolette says. “We’re all about getting people in touch with tea.”