So-ho much tea fun! A visit to Harney & Sons in Soho, NYC

Harney & Sons tea store in Soho, a great place to visit when in NYC

It's always a great time to have a cup of Harney tea, but when in New York, it's even more special sampling a variety of these delicious teas at their store in Soho. When we visited the Big Apple in July, we put this on our must-see list and I'm so glad we did.

Matt and Jenna sample their tea

Trying a bit of Soho tea in Soho!

BTS is no stranger to Harney teas or the Harney family. When Michael Harney came to my hometown of Birmingham (Michigan)  in 2014 and again in 2016, I had the great pleasure of meeting him personally and becoming more familiar with both the Harney story and their teas.

Meeting Mike Harney, 2014

Once again, meeting Mike in Michigan, 2016

John Harney, founder of Harney teas and father of Michael, started his tea business in 1983 to have  something extra to serve guests at his inn in Connecticut.  It wasn't long before John noticed his guests were coming back for more tea and soon he and the family turned their focus to tea exclusively.

There are two Harney stores, one in Connecticut and as noted above, one in Soho, where we had an amazing time sipping tea and shopping with our New York contingent, my son, Matt, and his girlfriend, Jenna.

Inside the Harney Soho store, walls are lined with merchandise and the Harney story

Although the café is currently closed, the tea counter is opened and tastings are conducted in a safe environment with transparent plexiglass shields between tea preparers and tea sippers. I had to try the Soho blend, which was created in 2010 for the grand opening of the Soho Harney store. It's a tasty combination of black tea, chocolate, vanilla and coconut flavors.  

Friendly staff prepare tea behind plexiglass screens.

 

All in our party had their turn in taking a sampling of tea and I purchased a few tins, determined to bring "Soho" back home to extend the New York tea experience in Michigan.

Outside Harney store in Soho

Bringing back NY tea to Michigan

The Soho store fits well into its lower Manhattan neighborhood which is filled with a variety of boutiques, bookstores and art galleries. The tea venue's interior, with its high ceilings and cream colored walls lined with  light wood shelves and furnishings, offers a relaxing oasis in the heart of the retail bustle.

Chris checking out the Harney merch

We enjoyed our time at Harney & Sons, drinking tea and shopping. We hope to be back soon. In the meantime, we agree with John Harney:  anytime is tea time!