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Sipping Streams Tea Company specializes in quality loose leaf teas and in tea education. Our revenue streams include wholesale sales, restaurant sales and retail sales. Sipping Streams blends, packages and sells loose leaf teas, tea accessories and tea sachets. As part of our education outreach program, we also have a dedicated Tea House, and booths at the Tanana Valley State Fair, the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market, Birch Hill Market, Midnight Sun Festival, and at trade shows both locally and in Anchorage, Alaska and Seattle, Washington. Customers can enjoy a pot of tea as well as unique tea foods like homemade steam buns, bahn mi sandwiches, tea pastries and udon noodle soup. We also have a full retail section in the tea house with our packaged loose leaf teas and tea accessories for the home. Sipping Streams Tea Company has won 10 international awards for their teas, blends, and ability to make amazing cups of tea (Top Tea Infusionist Champion).
Mission:
At Sipping Stream, our mission is to bring together a community of diverse culture and age. We believe in the best quality of life for our mind, body and soul. We offer the highest quality products, which encourage mindfulness, health, environmental responsibility and tranquility, as well as education and a retreat-like environment. This focus allows us to serve our community and support our wholesale clients.
Sipping Streams currently supplies bulk loose leaf teas to a number of restaurants, cafés and independent retailers. We also have a number of wholesale customers across the country, and have the opportunity to expand our production with new wholesale customers. A move to a new location with larger manufacturing area will allow us to acquire Third Party Food Auditor Certification, USDA Organic Certification, and DEC Certification – Food Processor, allowing us to sell to larger businesses such as Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Wilderness Express and other corporations which have expressed interest in working with us.
The Tea House serves as a local gathering place for many unique community events. We host regular tea classes with special guests from different tea producing areas, tea parties, meetings, as well as the local Argentine Tango group and the Interior Gamer’s Association events. Our menu features specialty foods from around the tea world, from Asian cooking styles to full Victorian style tea parties. We strive to provide a calm, welcoming atmosphere for customers to relax and enjoy company without the rush of coffee culture. We currently cater to the University community, and have a strong following from local community organizations such as Calypso Farms, The Folk School Fairbanks, Georgeson Botanical Garden members, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of UAF, and Northern Alaska Environmental Center members. A space with a better retail front and above ground entrance will facilitate greater restaurant sales.
The Tea House also offers an opportunity to educate customers about our specialty teas, and promote our retail sales. We currently sell our packaged teas and tea accessories at the Tea House, the Farmer’s Market, the State Fair and at local events and trade shows. We also have an online store, which will be updated as part of our renovation efforts.
What are we asking for?
We are asking for $30,000 to help us move into a new location that has more exposure and is easily accessible to the public. The money would be for moving costs, signage expenses, advertising, new inventory, rent and utilities for the first couple months. We have been in our current location for 6 years in a high traffic area, but it is in the basement and signage and parking is very poor. There is no elevator and so accessibilitiy is also an issue. We have also reached our limit in manufacturing in the basement. In order to be able to expand our wholesale production, we need more efficient use of space and the ability to load pallets of tea into trucks. ....AND most importantly, our devoted customers would like to have windows to look out of and not have to walk down about 15 steps to enjoy a delicious pot of tea.
How will you help us be successful?
a) With the new location, we have the potential to double wholesale sales within a year of acquiring the appropriate certifications, by meeting current demand as well as reaching out to wholesale clients who have expressed interest at various wholesale events and through referrals from the Made in Alaska, Buy Alaska, and Alaska Product Preference programs. New certifications and inventory requirements are needed to meet potential demand from large corporate buyers who have expressed interest in our products.
b) We anticipate raising the Tea House retail sales numbers by having storefront exposure and street accessability.
c) We anticipate an increase of restaurant sales after the location change as well. We will be streamlining our food offerings as well to reduce labor demands in this department, freeing our employees to focus on wholesale clients without negative impact to our excellent customer service in the restaurant.
How soon do we need the funds?
We are planning on closing the current tea house October 31, 2015. We know that is very soon. If we are not able to get the certified kitchen at a new location in place, we will not be able to continue our wholesale accounts. So all restaurants, cafés, giftshops and stores will no longer be able to sell and serve our product. "Cottage Industry" regulations, allow us to sell direct at bazaars, trade shows, and the Farmer's Market, but we will be out of business most of the year. We are just getting into the hot tea season and hope that you will support us during our busiest season so we can continue to stay opened throughout the year. We already have a place in mind!
Come to our event at Venue (514 2nd Ave) Thursday, October 8 from 6 pm - 8 pm. Learn how you can help Save Sipping Streams! We will have Tea, Coffee and Goods by The Café, an amazing silent auction, door prizes, music, and more!
Keys to Success
Sipping Streams maintains a firm commitment to high quality products and superior customer service. We strive to provide specialized tea service to both retail and wholesale customers. We provide comprehensive wholesale service, including graphic design and cobranding, specialty packaging options and training for the staff of wholesale clients. Our in-house staff training program has been recognized by other local businesses, and our manager, Jenny Tse, has been invited to train staff for similar businesses in Fairbanks and across the state. We have acquired wholesale customers at trade shows based on our tea knowledge, above and beyond a simple understanding of our current inventory, and all staff are required to pursue continuous education in tea as well as customer service. We are constantly examining and developing our marketing strategy, based on changing trends. Our management has a firm grasp on food, beverage and labor costs, and manages both wholesale and retail margins appropriately. The business maintains a strong presence in the community through many avenues, including hosting radio programs, assisting local non-profits, and attending networking opportunities.
It would be sad if...
For the past 4 years, Sipping Streams has been the official tea sponsor of the Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race. Our specially formulated blend is donated every year for the mushers, support staff and volunteers at all the checkpoints, dog drops, and headquarters in Alaska and Canada. We would not be able to sponsor this year's race without a new location.
For the past 3 years, we have catered a full service tea service during the Taste of Art funderaiser for Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption for the corporate tables. Without a new location, we could not make and prepare the tea for this annual event.
Sipping Streams' has been my passion for the last 8 years. I love sharing tea with the community and I love that our tea house has been a safe gathering place for the community. Fairbanks would lose a very special place where people could get rare and unique specialty teas.
We would be incredibily thankful to all of you who support us financially and spread the word! We can't do it without our fans and our community. Please help Alaska's award winning tea company stay in business and give Fairbanks a more awesome place!
Learn more about Sipping Streams Tea [email redacted]pingstreams.com
Mission:
At Sipping Stream, our mission is to bring together a community of diverse culture and age. We believe in the best quality of life for our mind, body and soul. We offer the highest quality products, which encourage mindfulness, health, environmental responsibility and tranquility, as well as education and a retreat-like environment. This focus allows us to serve our community and support our wholesale clients.
Sipping Streams currently supplies bulk loose leaf teas to a number of restaurants, cafés and independent retailers. We also have a number of wholesale customers across the country, and have the opportunity to expand our production with new wholesale customers. A move to a new location with larger manufacturing area will allow us to acquire Third Party Food Auditor Certification, USDA Organic Certification, and DEC Certification – Food Processor, allowing us to sell to larger businesses such as Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Wilderness Express and other corporations which have expressed interest in working with us.
The Tea House serves as a local gathering place for many unique community events. We host regular tea classes with special guests from different tea producing areas, tea parties, meetings, as well as the local Argentine Tango group and the Interior Gamer’s Association events. Our menu features specialty foods from around the tea world, from Asian cooking styles to full Victorian style tea parties. We strive to provide a calm, welcoming atmosphere for customers to relax and enjoy company without the rush of coffee culture. We currently cater to the University community, and have a strong following from local community organizations such as Calypso Farms, The Folk School Fairbanks, Georgeson Botanical Garden members, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of UAF, and Northern Alaska Environmental Center members. A space with a better retail front and above ground entrance will facilitate greater restaurant sales.
The Tea House also offers an opportunity to educate customers about our specialty teas, and promote our retail sales. We currently sell our packaged teas and tea accessories at the Tea House, the Farmer’s Market, the State Fair and at local events and trade shows. We also have an online store, which will be updated as part of our renovation efforts.
What are we asking for?
We are asking for $30,000 to help us move into a new location that has more exposure and is easily accessible to the public. The money would be for moving costs, signage expenses, advertising, new inventory, rent and utilities for the first couple months. We have been in our current location for 6 years in a high traffic area, but it is in the basement and signage and parking is very poor. There is no elevator and so accessibilitiy is also an issue. We have also reached our limit in manufacturing in the basement. In order to be able to expand our wholesale production, we need more efficient use of space and the ability to load pallets of tea into trucks. ....AND most importantly, our devoted customers would like to have windows to look out of and not have to walk down about 15 steps to enjoy a delicious pot of tea.
How will you help us be successful?
a) With the new location, we have the potential to double wholesale sales within a year of acquiring the appropriate certifications, by meeting current demand as well as reaching out to wholesale clients who have expressed interest at various wholesale events and through referrals from the Made in Alaska, Buy Alaska, and Alaska Product Preference programs. New certifications and inventory requirements are needed to meet potential demand from large corporate buyers who have expressed interest in our products.
b) We anticipate raising the Tea House retail sales numbers by having storefront exposure and street accessability.
c) We anticipate an increase of restaurant sales after the location change as well. We will be streamlining our food offerings as well to reduce labor demands in this department, freeing our employees to focus on wholesale clients without negative impact to our excellent customer service in the restaurant.
How soon do we need the funds?
We are planning on closing the current tea house October 31, 2015. We know that is very soon. If we are not able to get the certified kitchen at a new location in place, we will not be able to continue our wholesale accounts. So all restaurants, cafés, giftshops and stores will no longer be able to sell and serve our product. "Cottage Industry" regulations, allow us to sell direct at bazaars, trade shows, and the Farmer's Market, but we will be out of business most of the year. We are just getting into the hot tea season and hope that you will support us during our busiest season so we can continue to stay opened throughout the year. We already have a place in mind!
Come to our event at Venue (514 2nd Ave) Thursday, October 8 from 6 pm - 8 pm. Learn how you can help Save Sipping Streams! We will have Tea, Coffee and Goods by The Café, an amazing silent auction, door prizes, music, and more!
Keys to Success
Sipping Streams maintains a firm commitment to high quality products and superior customer service. We strive to provide specialized tea service to both retail and wholesale customers. We provide comprehensive wholesale service, including graphic design and cobranding, specialty packaging options and training for the staff of wholesale clients. Our in-house staff training program has been recognized by other local businesses, and our manager, Jenny Tse, has been invited to train staff for similar businesses in Fairbanks and across the state. We have acquired wholesale customers at trade shows based on our tea knowledge, above and beyond a simple understanding of our current inventory, and all staff are required to pursue continuous education in tea as well as customer service. We are constantly examining and developing our marketing strategy, based on changing trends. Our management has a firm grasp on food, beverage and labor costs, and manages both wholesale and retail margins appropriately. The business maintains a strong presence in the community through many avenues, including hosting radio programs, assisting local non-profits, and attending networking opportunities.
It would be sad if...
For the past 4 years, Sipping Streams has been the official tea sponsor of the Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race. Our specially formulated blend is donated every year for the mushers, support staff and volunteers at all the checkpoints, dog drops, and headquarters in Alaska and Canada. We would not be able to sponsor this year's race without a new location.
For the past 3 years, we have catered a full service tea service during the Taste of Art funderaiser for Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption for the corporate tables. Without a new location, we could not make and prepare the tea for this annual event.
Sipping Streams' has been my passion for the last 8 years. I love sharing tea with the community and I love that our tea house has been a safe gathering place for the community. Fairbanks would lose a very special place where people could get rare and unique specialty teas.
We would be incredibily thankful to all of you who support us financially and spread the word! We can't do it without our fans and our community. Please help Alaska's award winning tea company stay in business and give Fairbanks a more awesome place!
Learn more about Sipping Streams Tea [email redacted]pingstreams.com