Chicago's Fast-Growing Argo Tea Opens Innovative Greenhouse Cafe, Marks 10 Years

CHICAGO, July 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Argo Tea, the fast-growing Chicago-based company responsible for creating innovative tea experiences, announces its newest Chicago location, resulting from a unique community park revitalization partnership with the City of Chicago. The greenhouse-inspired cafe, opened in celebration of Argo Tea's 10^th Anniversary, is located in the newly restored Connors Park at 871 N. Wabash Street. The new cafe creates a unique experience for the community to relax and enjoy the elements of nature, including teas with all-natural, real ingredients.

"Argo Tea's home is Chicago.  We're grateful for any opportunity to share our unique, hand-blended tea beverages and to support healthy communities in our hometown, across the country and around the world. Our shared vision for this park is to provide a public haven for the community to gather, enjoying nature while sipping the best combination of the freshest ingredients from nature," said Arsen Avakian, founder and CEO of Argo Tea.

Argo Tea and the City of Chicago worked together to remake the park into a more welcoming atmosphere. The collaborative effort left the park filled with native plants, including tea bushes such as chamomile and hibiscus. Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly, Superintendent and CEO of Chicago Park District Michael P. Kelly and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel were all instrumental in the process.  

"I am thankful for Chicago-based businesses like Argo Tea, for taking the extra step to beautify our neighborhoods and make Chicago the best city possible," said Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago. "This cafe is important to the continued revitalization of our parks, and we look forward to future partnerships that will support similar projects that make Chicago a great place to live and visit."

"This is an exciting day and one that has been a long time in the making," said Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd Ward.  "After asking the Chicago Park District to pursue local Chicago businesses in order to return this park to its former glory, I'm thankful to Argo Tea, the Chicago Park District and the Mayor's Office for helping make this revitalization vision a reality and for dramatically improving the park as a neighborhood amenity and family destination."

Similar to other Argo Tea locations, the new greenhouse cafe features sustainable elements, including fully recyclable packaging, native landscaping featuring drought-tolerant plant varieties and allowing for natural irrigation, and wind energy power from the purchase of renewable energy credits.

Like all Argo Tea cafes, the greenhouse cafe will support a variety of local efforts.  Local non-profits receive 10 percent of proceeds from seasonal signature drinks as part of Argo's ChariTEA program. In addition, local artists and musicians are welcomed to showcase their talents in store, and public tea tastings and wellness events are held regularly for the community.

"This cafe is a physical representation of our core values at Argo Tea, showcasing the best of what we offer in support of creating healthy communities, leading in sustainability and giving back through charity," said Arsen Avakian.

Since opening its first cafe in 2003 in Chicago, Argo Tea now operates 27 cafes in the U.S. and internationally, with more than 15 locations scheduled to open in the next 12 months. Argo Tea is the leader in creating a unique tea experience, whether in cafes, teaosks or at home, and is available through more than 10,000 retailers, including Chicago-based Walgreens, Whole Foods, and many more locations. 

About Argo Tea
Argo Tea, Inc. is a Chicago-based food and beverage company responsible for creating innovative tea experiences. We are passionate about bringing teas directly from growers around the world, and blending them into unique and delicious signature beverages and teas. We are committed to being a sustainable business by working with the best local and global tea, coffee, and food artisans, and by contributing back to our communities to promote a healthy lifestyle and the conservation of natural resources. We are dedicated to delivering consistent quality, combining all-natural, real ingredients and sharing a genuine customer experience "one customer and one cup at a time," and to providing the "Argo experience" through our innovative approach of rediscovering the diversity and tradition of teas. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, we now have retail partners across the world, and coming soon to a location near you. Our products are available for distribution in more than 10,000 premier retailers, including foodservice, retail, and hospitality companies in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.argotea.com.

SOURCE Argo Tea