100% Family Owned. Three Generations. One Passion.
In 1945, Ruth Campbell Bigelow, a true innovator and pioneer of her time, reinvented tea in America with the first specialty tea, “Constant Comment.” To this day, the Bigelow family’s commitment, enthusiasm, and passion for tea remains unchanged, just like Ruth’s original recipe.
1st Generation
1945: Bigelow Was Founded
Bigelow Tea was founded by Ruth Campbell Bigelow, when she created “Constant Comment” in her kitchen. The first specialty tea in the USA. The first production facility was in the Bigelow’s New York brownstone apartment.
1950: Moving to Norwalk
With their growing tea business, Ruth and David E. Bigelow sold their home in the city and moved to Connecticut. There they bought a small factory in the center of Norwalk, CT alongside the Norwalk River.
1955: The Flood
The company was devastated by the flood of 1955 as almost everything in the business washed out into the river. Thankfully, with hard work and determination business was back to usual within a few months.
1957: Merwin Street Move
The Bigelow’s moved their business a mile away to a classic New England brick factory building on Merwin Street in Norwalk, CT.
1960: David Joins the Fold
David Campbell Bigelow, Ruth and David’s son, joined the company full time.
2nd Generation
1963: “Constant Comment” Sweeps the Nation
The senior Bigelows decided to retire and turn over the management of the company to their son David and his wife Eunice. Over the next several years, the demand for “Constant Comment” grew enormously, as more and more grocery stores began to carry the product.
1974: New Flavors
Building on the success of “Constant Comment,” the company introduced several new flavors creating a whole line of teas to help achieve greater prominence on the supermarket shelf.
1981: Lori Joins Full Time
Lori Bigelow, David and Eunice’s oldest daughter, joined Bigelow Tea full time.
1983: Boise Plant Opening
A new manufacturing and distribution center was opened in Boise, Idaho that included two tea bag machines.
1985: The Boise Plant Moves
As the business grew, the Boise plant needed to expand, and moved to a larger facility across the train tracks.
1986: Cindi Steps Up
Cindi Bigelow, David and Eunice’s youngest daughter, joined Bigelow Tea full time.
1988: 1st Community Challenge 5k
Bigelow held the 1st Bigelow Tea Community Challenge 5K Road race to raise money for a scholarship to help an employee’s family.
1990: Opening of Fairfield Facility
The Norwalk, CT facility closed after 33 years, and the company moved to the new Fairfield, CT facility.
1993: Louisville Plant Opens
A new manufacturing plant was built in Louisville, Kentucky to serve customers in the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest United States.
2002: Bigelow Named #1 Specialty Tea
Cindi and Lori Bigelow became co-presidents of Bigelow Tea. Bigelow Tea became the #1 Specialty Tea brand in the United States.
2003: Charleston Tea Garden Purchase
The Bigelow family purchased the Charleston Tea Garden. Located on 127 acres on Wadmalaw Island in South Carolina, the Garden was, at that time, the only commercial tea garden in America.
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3rd Generation
2005: Cindi Becomes CEO
Cindi Bigelow was appointed CEO of Bigelow Tea, becoming the 3rd generation to lead the company.
2008: Lori Bigelow Retires
Lori Bigelow retired from Bigelow Tea.
2009: Beginning of “Tea for The Troops”
To recognize the service of our troops, Bigelow began the “Tea for The Troops” donation program, donating tea to our service members.
2019: B Corp Certification
Bigelow Tea received B Corp Certification.
2020: 100% Green-e Certification
Bigelow became 100% Green-e Certified.
2021: Opening of Orange, CT Center
Bigelow Tea opened a new distribution center in Orange, CT.
