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==History==
==History==
The original café for Argo Tea, which had 24 four indoor seats and 20 patio seats in its 2003 configuration, is located at 958 West Armitage Avenue on the corner [[Sheffield Avenue]] in Chicago.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/><ref name=IataLPsac>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-08-27/entertainment/0308270189_1_green-tea-iced-black-tea|title=It's always teatime at Lincoln Park shop and cafe|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2003-08-27|author=Frank, Jennifer |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> It opened in June 2003.<ref name=TFT/> The original store was financed by its founders, who were all experienced [[management consultant]]s, without outside investors.<ref name=Bbatesatocs>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-01-05/business/0401050214_1_green-tea-tea-council-two-tea|title=Battle brews as tea entrepreneurs seek a taste of coffee's success|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-01-05|author=Chandler, Susan|wprl=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Barely six months after opening Argo was planning expansion in Chicago and beyond.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> Late in 2004, Argo signed a lease to make its first expansion beyond its original location.<ref name=HtpboWoL>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-10-13/business/0410130123_1_vacancy-cb-richard-ellis-leasing-activity|title=Hines to place bet on Westwood of Lisle|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-10-13|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}}</ref>
The original café for Argo Tea, which had 24 four indoor seats and 20 patio seats in its 2003 configuration, is located at 958 West Armitage Avenue on the corner [[Sheffield Avenue]] in Chicago.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/><ref name=IataLPsac>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-08-27/entertainment/0308270189_1_green-tea-iced-black-tea|title=It's always teatime at Lincoln Park shop and cafe|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2003-08-27|author=Frank, Jennifer |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> It opened in June 2003.<ref name=TFT/> The original store was financed by its founders, who were all experienced [[management consultant]]s, without outside investors.<ref name=Bbatesatocs>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-01-05/business/0401050214_1_green-tea-tea-council-two-tea|title=Battle brews as tea entrepreneurs seek a taste of coffee's success|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-01-05|author=Chandler, Susan|wprl=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Barely six months after opening Argo was planning expansion in Chicago and beyond.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> Late in 2004, Argo signed a lease to make its first expansion (on [[Rush Street (Chicago)|Rush Street]]) beyond its original location.<ref name=HtpboWoL>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-10-13/business/0410130123_1_vacancy-cb-richard-ellis-leasing-activity|title=Hines to place bet on Westwood of Lisle|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-10-13|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}}</ref> By the beginning of 2006, there were 3 locations with a fourth on the way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/food/restaurants&id=3788250|title=More tea steeping in Chicago|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2006-01-06|publisher=[[WLS-TV]]}}</ref>


Argo set out to be the Starbucks of tea.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/><ref name=TFT>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-05-30/features/0405300447_1_coffee-habit-coffee-shop-walls|title=Two For Tea: A Pair Of Cafes Are Trying To Get Chicagoans To Kick The Coffee Habit|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-05-30|author=Bierma, Nathan|wprl=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Argo was founded in response to a realization that Americans had so few tea offerings that they generally were unfamiliar with anything but tea bag teas.<ref name=TtihagsaU/> Meanwhile, a minority of Asian immigrants from countries such as India, Vietnam and China where tea is the national beverage were spreading some of their traditions.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> Argo endeavored to emphasize the healthy aspects of tea as an alternative to coffee.<ref name=IataLPsac/> When it was founded Argo was part of a field of blossoming tea cafe franchises meeting a burgeoning demand.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> In 2011, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' credited Argo as being the company that caused the 21st Century Tea Shop revolution.<ref name=TtihagsaU>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-01-29/business/27089958_1_tea-trend-tea-drinking-tea-association|title=Tearoom trend is hot and gaining steam across U.S.|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2011-01-29|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|author=Patton, Leslie}}</ref> By 2002, there were 1,100 tearooms with sit down service.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> {{asof|2011}}, 200 tearooms in the United States had grown to over 3,000 in just 15 years, according to the Tea Association of the USA. According to ''[[Beverage Digest]]'', between 2006 and 2009, coffee consumption declined 2.3% in the United States, while tea consumption rose 4.5%.<ref name=TtihagsaU/> The growth of teas has caused [[Starbucks]] to drop the word coffee from its name and build the [[Tazo]] brand.<ref name=TtihagsaU/>
Argo set out to be the Starbucks of tea.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/><ref name=TFT>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-05-30/features/0405300447_1_coffee-habit-coffee-shop-walls|title=Two For Tea: A Pair Of Cafes Are Trying To Get Chicagoans To Kick The Coffee Habit|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2004-05-30|author=Bierma, Nathan|wprl=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Argo was founded in response to a realization that Americans had so few tea offerings that they generally were unfamiliar with anything but tea bag teas.<ref name=TtihagsaU/> Meanwhile, a minority of Asian immigrants from countries such as India, Vietnam and China where tea is the national beverage were spreading some of their traditions.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> Argo endeavored to emphasize the healthy aspects of tea as an alternative to coffee.<ref name=IataLPsac/> When it was founded Argo was part of a field of blossoming tea cafe franchises meeting a burgeoning demand.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> In 2011, the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' credited Argo as being the company that caused the 21st Century Tea Shop revolution.<ref name=TtihagsaU>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-01-29/business/27089958_1_tea-trend-tea-drinking-tea-association|title=Tearoom trend is hot and gaining steam across U.S.|accessdate=2011-09-29|date=2011-01-29|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|author=Patton, Leslie}}</ref> By 2002, there were 1,100 tearooms with sit down service.<ref name=Bbatesatocs/> {{asof|2011}}, 200 tearooms in the United States had grown to over 3,000 in just 15 years, according to the Tea Association of the USA. According to ''[[Beverage Digest]]'', between 2006 and 2009, coffee consumption declined 2.3% in the United States, while tea consumption rose 4.5%.<ref name=TtihagsaU/> The growth of teas has caused [[Starbucks]] to drop the word coffee from its name and build the [[Tazo]] brand.<ref name=TtihagsaU/>

Revision as of 16:39, 29 September 2011

Argo Tea
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurants
Retail Tea and Coffee
Wholesale Tea
FoundedIn June 2003 at 958 W. Armitage Ave. in Chicago, Illinois
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Key people
Arsen Avakian, CEO
ProductsSignature tea drinks
Loose tea leaves
Bottled beverages
Coffee
Teaware
Number of employees
250
Websiteargotea.com

Argo Tea is a chain of tea cafés which was founded the Lincoln Park community area in Chicago, Illinois, in June 2003 by Arsen Avakian, Daniel Lindwasser, and Simon Simonian.[1] Avakian is the current Chief Operating Officer.[2] It primarily sells a variety of hot and cold tea-based signature drinks. In addition, Argo Tea offers about three dozen international varieties of loose-leaf tea (tea brewed from loose tea leaves, as opposed to bagged tea), coffee, baked goods, small entrées, and teaware.[3] The tea menu includes a variety of black, green, white, and natural herbal teas, served hot or iced. Argo Tea has formed a special relationship with Whole Foods Market to distribute Argo products.[4]

History

The original café for Argo Tea, which had 24 four indoor seats and 20 patio seats in its 2003 configuration, is located at 958 West Armitage Avenue on the corner Sheffield Avenue in Chicago.[5][6] It opened in June 2003.[7] The original store was financed by its founders, who were all experienced management consultants, without outside investors.[5] Barely six months after opening Argo was planning expansion in Chicago and beyond.[5] Late in 2004, Argo signed a lease to make its first expansion (on Rush Street) beyond its original location.[8] By the beginning of 2006, there were 3 locations with a fourth on the way.[9]

Argo set out to be the Starbucks of tea.[5][7] Argo was founded in response to a realization that Americans had so few tea offerings that they generally were unfamiliar with anything but tea bag teas.[2] Meanwhile, a minority of Asian immigrants from countries such as India, Vietnam and China where tea is the national beverage were spreading some of their traditions.[5] Argo endeavored to emphasize the healthy aspects of tea as an alternative to coffee.[6] When it was founded Argo was part of a field of blossoming tea cafe franchises meeting a burgeoning demand.[5] In 2011, the San Francisco Chronicle credited Argo as being the company that caused the 21st Century Tea Shop revolution.[2] By 2002, there were 1,100 tearooms with sit down service.[5] As of 2011, 200 tearooms in the United States had grown to over 3,000 in just 15 years, according to the Tea Association of the USA. According to Beverage Digest, between 2006 and 2009, coffee consumption declined 2.3% in the United States, while tea consumption rose 4.5%.[2] The growth of teas has caused Starbucks to drop the word coffee from its name and build the Tazo brand.[2]

Argo began with 35 teas from around the world, including black tea, green tea and herbal chamomile as well as exotic teas.[6] From the outside it included a mix of traditional Asian teas as well as teas from exotic locations.[6] One of its signature drinks is the teappuccino, a black tea mixed with steamed milk and froth,[6] which the company has trademarked.[2] Their menu leverages the new wave of specialty teas that may be served sweetened or spiced and that are blended with milk, sparkling water or fruit juices.[5]

Argo also started out selling loose tea in 1- and 4-ounce bags or in bulk.[6]

Despite its wide-ranging menu, as of 2011, 80% of Argo's $15 million annual sales came from tea beverages.[2]

Locations

Employees passing out drink samples.

It also opened four locations in New York City in 2010, and plans to open additional locations soon.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Liquid Gold". Chicago Magazine. May 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Patton, Leslie (2011-01-29). "Tearoom trend is hot and gaining steam across U.S." San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  3. ^ Ortiz, Ruby (February 10, 2004). "Chicago Beat: Tea time". Chicago Flame. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  4. ^ Simone, Pattie (July 2006). "You Can Do It!". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Chandler, Susan (2004-01-05). "Battle brews as tea entrepreneurs seek a taste of coffee's success". Retrieved 2011-09-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |wprl= ignored (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f Frank, Jennifer (2003-08-27). "It's always teatime at Lincoln Park shop and cafe". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  7. ^ a b Bierma, Nathan (2004-05-30). "Two For Tea: A Pair Of Cafes Are Trying To Get Chicagoans To Kick The Coffee Habit". Retrieved 2011-09-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |wprl= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Corfman, Thomas A. (2004-10-13). "Hines to place bet on Westwood of Lisle". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  9. ^ "More tea steeping in Chicago". WLS-TV. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2011-09-29.
  10. ^ "New York". argotea.com. Retrieved 2009-12-07.

Throughout

  1. University of Chicago Magazine article about Argo Tea
  2. 190 North (TV news show) about Argo Tea
  3. Article about procurement manager Daniel Lindwasser and Argo Tea
  4. Loyola University Chicago newspaper article about Argo Tea
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