Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and Benjamin Press sprang from the success of the Elmwood Inn Tea Room. Over its 14 years of existence, Elmwood Inn developed an international reputation as one of America's favorite locations for a traditional afternoon tea.  In 2000, the tea room became the first American venue to be included in the prestigious GUIDE TO BEST TEA PLACES, published annually by The Guild of British Tea Rooms.

After serving thousands of guests, the tea room closed on July 31, 2004 in order for us to grow our expanding wholesale tea and publishing businesses.

Being educators, we have always felt the need to share our tea talents with willing students.  Since 2000, over 200 aspiring tea entrepreneurs from across Canada and the United States have attended Elmwood's TEA 101.  These seminars, along with our tea recipe books, continue to inspire tea professionals everywhere.

Elmwood Inn is committed to spreading the good news of tea to a thirsty world.  We like to call it "a cup of serenity." 

Bruce and Shelley Richardson, owners

Our Mission

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas is dedicated to pouring out the wisdom of tea. Our goals are to explore the world in search of extraordinary teas, to honor and respect the source of those teas, and to make those teas available. We are committed to sharing the ideal that, for us, tea is a lifestyle and not a commodity.

Benjamin Press is dedicated to being America’s leading publisher of tea media. Our goal is to produce aesthetically pleasing and professionally researched materials that educate and inspire.

Elmwood owners featured in TeaTime  magazine.