Our Story

East Meets Mid-West
Eastern in philosophy, mid-western in mentality, the Chicago Tea Garden takes care in selecting honest, accessible, and authentic teas for the discerning tea buyer. Free of flavorings and additives, our teas honor the cultures that produced them.

Our Beginnings
The idea for the Chicago Tea Garden was sparked by owner Tony Gebely during a backpacking trip to China in 2006. Two years later while visiting southeast Asia, the idea became more than a dream. After becoming immersed in the tea cultures of China, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, Nepal, and Thailand, Tony realized that the western perception of tea was sorely lacking. He saw potential for an accessible tea culture in the U.S. based on authentic tea and its preparation; not false health promises and artificial flavorings.

Since 2009, Tony has been working with small tea farmers in China, Japan, India, Nepal, and New Zealand to secure the best hand-crafted teas possible at fair prices. By providing an easily accessible marketplace for small farmers, Chicago Tea Garden aims to please its customers with superior quality tea at reasonable prices.

Located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago, our storehouse is open by appointment and for regularly scheduled tea tastings. Please contact the Chicago Tea Garden if you would like to plan a visit. Tony will be there to help guide you.