"Papa" John Harney
A missionary who spread the ‘Gospel of Tea'
Many years ago in Salisbury, Connecticut, the proprietor of the historic White Hart Inn, John Harney, developed a passion for fine teas. John was introduced to the world of tea by Stanley Mason, who turned to create his craft tea blends after years in the corporate world of tea. Over time, Mason taught John the craft’s art and business. Starting production out of his basement in 1983, John began his journey of mastering the craft of tea blending. Serving his distinctive blends with inn guests, he soon found they were coming back for more. John Harney never imagined that his small home-run business in Salisbury, Connecticut, would turn into a global operation, now headquartered in Millerton, New York, filling 90,000 square feet of warehouse space and employing over 155 people, making it one of the largest employers in the Hudson Valley. The company, which sources, blends, and packages its product from start to finish, has grown from its original six teas to more than three hundred.
His story truly captures the essence of American business ingenuity.
