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Business suits this family to a tea

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: October 14, 2009

TAMPA PALMS - Ashley Brooke Lee started drinking tea in college as an alternative to coffee.

Her interest grew as she tried new teas and learned more about them.

But the 25-year-old Meadow Pointe resident never expected her hobby would turn into a family-owned and operated business called Kokomo Tea. The 15-month-old company sells loose tea and gift baskets with 1-ounce tea samples and other items.

The products are sold over the Internet, through mail-order companies and at arts festivals, including this weekend's Arts & Crafts Under the Palms at City Plaza in Tampa Palms.

"We wanted to make our tea visually appealing," Lee said. "Originally I had not planned on going into baskets, but it just grew into it.

The company offers baskets with three to 14 different teas and assorted items including a steeper, measuring spoons and small snacks such as crackers. Prices range from $24 to more than $100.

"We offer seasonal themes, birthday baskets and other gifts. Right now we are concentrating on Christmas, but for the Tampa Palms show, we will have some fall ones," Lee said.

The business, which operates from her parents' Tampa Palms home, also is run by Lee's mother, Steffenie Murnane; her brother, Kevin Murnane; and her husband of nine months, Jonathan. However, it has outgrown the space, and they expect to move the operation to a warehouse by the end of the year.

Each family member has a role in the operation with Lee, who studied economics at the University of Florida. She handles the orders, supplies, creating baskets and the Web site, www.kokomotea.com. Jonathan, who has another job, helps with merchandising.

Steffenie Murnane is "the bedazzler", said Kevin Murnane. She adds flowers, ribbons and other decorations to make the baskets appealing.

"And I am a lot of the physical, manual labor. She's (his sister) the brains behind it," said Kevin Murnane, 23, who studied international business at Florida Atlantic University.

He also ships the products for various vendors who submit orders. About 25 to 30 baskets a week being sent to customers.

For the Tampa Palms show, the company also will have decorated bags where for $15 shoppers can choose three teas and receive a steeper. For $25, a larger bag will have five teas, a steeper and a measuring spoon.

"What I love about the Tampa Palms show is it is such a family environment; people are open to trying new things," Lee said.

In addition to Komoko Tea, about 60 vendors will participate in the show, which is sponsored by the Tampa Palms Women's Club.

Club member Stella Hartman, who is co-chair with Judy Alkow, said the exhibits will include fine art, jewelry and assorted decorative items.

Proceeds are distributed by the club to charities assisting women and children.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Arts & Crafts Under the Palms

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: City Plaza in Tampa Palms, Bruce B. Downs and Tampa Palms boulevards

ADMISSION: Free

INFORMATION: (813) 977-2261

Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 259-7662.

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