Media Credit: The Spice & Tea Exchange Facebook Page
By: Kaitlyn Boisvert
Co Editor-in-Chief
“There is a story behind everything.”
Such is the motto of Steven Parker, the manager of Spice and Tea Exchange, a new store that has recently set shop in Newport.
With its second floor location on Thames Street, one of Newport’s biggest attractions, Spice and Tea Exchange possesses a unique, enthralling story that is definitely worth exploring.
Entering the shop brings customers into a rich, dynamic atmosphere that was the result of a dose of experimentation, a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of smart planning.
Clay Freeman, the founder and proprietor of Spice and Tea Exchange, found himself on the path of success when he began to test a series of spices, seeing what worked and what didn’t work. In 2003, he opened up his very own store, which allowed him to indulge in his love for spices and help people experience flavor in a whole new way. The store was called Old Florida Spice Traders.
In the years following the store’s opening, Freeman never lost sight of one important goal: bringing his customers a huge, unique selection of gourmet spices, as well as cheese powders, smoked powders, and more. When it came to his business, there was no room for boredom or clichés, as innovation and adventure became a main driving force for Freeman and his shop.
In 2007, Freeman decided to franchise his store, and thus Old Florida Spice Traders became Spice and Tea Exchange, a store chain that eventually became widespread in the United States.
Spice and Tea Exchange has extended its business from Florida to Washington, D.C., and on June 30, 2012, Newport, RI became the next addition for the booming franchise.
“The reason the owners decided to set up a new shop in Newport is because of how unique it was,” said Steven Parker. “They thought it was a great area, with unique shops and a lively, unique community that would be willing to try something new and fresh.”
When the Spice and Tea Exchange Shop opened its doors for the first time in Newport, Rhode Island, it seemed like the shop would be opening itself to great reception and success. Yet due to its location and some unforeseen issues, such was actually not the case in its initial stages of development.
While many reasons can probably be attributed to its success, both Parker and the company website agree that what makes Spice and Tea Exchange so unique and successful is its passion for originality and flavor. It provides a wide collection of teas and blends from A to Z, a family of employees who are knowledgeable “spice enthusiasts”, and an environment that pays a very special homage to history.
Nestled within many tea leaf assortments lay a backstory that dates to a time far before people had the Mr. Coffee machine at their disposal.
Some teas may taste differently to others, so it all boils down to personal preference and customers trying new things to find out what they like. The same goes for the spices and blends
The most popular tea flavors in the store are Green Tropical, Black Chocolate, and Cinnamon Plum. For a first-time customer, Parker states that the Green Tropical is a great tea to start with, as it packs a lot of good taste and fine refreshment whether it is hot or cold. Its ingredients seem to please everyone, with green tea, pineapple, and corn flower petals infused in the mix.
A product Parker highly recommends is the Tuscany Blend, an Italian style seasoning that serves cooks well in the kitchen. “It is definitely a blend that is great for cooking,” he said. “It goes great with olive oil, and can really spice up a plate of chicken and pasta. It also smells great and it is very fun to make!”
Ask what makes Spice and Tea Exchange unique as a store, and the answer will both involve the store’s dedication for its products and it’s rather homey, old-fashioned atmosphere. According to the website, Spice and Tea Exchange stores feature an 18th century Trading Post theme, with salvaged 100 year old barn beams, cypress shelves, and one-of-a-kind antiques.
Yet what makes the franchise stand out most of all is how enthusiastic and invested employers are within their work.
According to Parker, an Spice and Tea Exchange employee learns not only the histories of all the products, but they also learn how to make the shop’s specialty blends. Often times if a customer walks through the door, they will find an Spice and Tea Exchange employee in the midst of a new creation.
“You become very familiar with the products and truly become invested in the store and its unique atmosphere that has so much to offer,” said Parker. “Spice and Tea Exchange does more than sell teas; it is on such a grander scope than that. It is a place that gives customers a chance to experience new flavors that are unlike anything they have ever tried before, and loose themselves in a store that is passionate for both its history and its customers.”
With its location in a town known for both its fascinating history and its artistic diversity, the local Spice and Tea Exchange succeeds in spicing up Thames Street and living up to Newport’s theme of engaging the mind and the senses.
To learn more about Spice and Tea Exchange, visit their website at: http://www.spiceandtea.com/
