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Bruce Richardson

Tea Blends with Country Music

in Franklin, Tennessee

Story and photography by Bruce Richardson

The historic town of Franklin, Tennessee lies 20 miles and 100 years from the bustle of big city Nashville. This is where the country music industry retreats when the guitars are put away and the last stage light goes dark. Surrounded by rolling green hills and scenic landscapes, Franklin, is home to many of the legendary names in country music. 

This central Tennessee region is packed with history including Civil War battlefields, a host of antebellum mansions, and country stores dating back to the 1800s that still serve Moon Pies and Royal Crown Cola. Recently listed in 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before you Die, downtown Franklin is comprised of a 15-block historic district that boasts an eclectic mix of more than 70 trendy boutiques, antique shops and restaurants. The sidewalks are filled with tourists and local residents in search of unique clothing, fine dining, or good local music.

The town's laid-back atmosphere is sometimes flavored by a beverage made famous just down the road by Jack Daniels, but lately, the drink of choice has become tea, and Franklin has more tea choices per capita than most major cities in America. 

Three local tea shops offer from 85 to 200 specialty loose tea choices for sale.  Best of all, the tea shop owners have studied their craft and are readily available to assist their customers in finding the right infusion that suits their tastes.

Jan Erickson opened Franklin Tea (above) on Main Street in 2003. Her tea shop is just a few doors from the corner Starbucks. With a Canadian mother and Scottish father, Jan was raised on strong black tea. Her cheery window-lit shop is filled with every imaginable tea accoutrement and her shelves are lined with row after row of exquisite teas from every part of the world. You can't buy a cup of tea here but samples and expert advice are dispensed freely.  Jan is a level three graduate of the Specialty Tea Institute's certification program.

The World Cup of Tea is located in a busy retail shopping area on the outskirts of Franklin. The chic urban setting was created by owner Rosemary Staggs. Rosemary has spent years studying tea and traveling to major tea producing countries in search of the leaves that make up her ever-growing tea list. She shot many of the beautiful tea garden photographs that hang on her walls. Rosemary is also STI certified and a graduate of other tea education programs. Her modern tea oasis offers bountiful tea luncheons or afternoon tea meals. Many of her guests are seen exiting with shopping bags of tea and teatime accessories. They simply have to have all those treasures to recreate the World of Tea experience when they return home. 

The newest member of the Franklin tea society can be found south of town near the village of Thompson's Station. Long time resident Marcia Franks has converted her former historic home, Homestead Manor, into one of the region's most gentile settings for tea and hospitality. Completed in 1819, the stately Greek Revival mansion was the site of the 1863 Battle of Thompson's Station where Confederate troops led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest clashed with Federalist forces.

The National Historic Registry property serves a more peaceful purpose today as Marcia, along with her daughters Bryana and Tonya, oversee a restaurant and tea operation that accommodates guests for lunch, tea time, and special events. There's even a children's room that is a fantasy land for a grand prince or princess tea party. Marcia, too, is an STI graduate and has studied with many of the leading tea educators in America. She can often be found advising customers as they try to decide how many of her 85 loose teas they will take home to share with their friends and family.

America's tea renaissance will continue to grow with committed tea students such as Jan, Rosemary, and Marcia. They have all set their sights on sharing their passion for tea with their community. Who knows? Maybe this tea awakening will continue to infuse the country music scene and inspire a song or two about tea mending a broken heart or bringing two star-crossed lovers together. It could only happen in Franklin.

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This article appears in the April 2010 edition of TeaTime magazine. Copyrighted material.

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Following the success of his colorful Great Tea Rooms of Britain, Bruce Richardson has crafted a stunning collection of color photographs and recipes from 20 outstanding tea venues across The United States and Canada. This large format hardcover book contains over 175 color photographs and lots of touring suggestions!

Four new tea rooms appear in the newest edition. Plus, Bruce has added a Great Tea Shops section and 20 pages of recipes appear in their own chapter.