A Steeped Legacy: The Multigenerational Evolution of Harney & Sons

In the annals of American family businesses, few stories are as aromatic or as enduring as that of Harney & Sons. Founded in 1983, the company began as a humble basement operation in which John Harney, guided by the expertise of English expatriate Stanley Mason, sought to share his passion for quality tea with the world. Over the past four decades, the company has transformed from a localized passion project into an internationally recognized brand. Yet, despite the massive scale of their current operations—which span global sourcing, a diverse product line, and a thriving hospitality arm—Harney & Sons remains a quintessential family-run enterprise. In fact, as the business navigates its third generation, the "sons" in the company name have begun to welcome a new generation of Harneys into the fold, ensuring the legacy continues to steep for years to come.

To understand the heart of this organization, one must look at the individuals driving it. The current leadership structure is a testament to the family’s deep-rooted commitment to quality and innovation, balancing traditional expertise with a forward-thinking approach to the global tea market.

The Matriarchal Foundation: Elyse Harney

At the helm of the company sits Elyse Harney, the President and undisputed matriarch of the clan. Born Elizabeth G. Deublein in North Bergen, New Jersey, she graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn in 1952. Her connection to her alma mater remains strong; in a testament to her professional and personal achievements, the university has invited her to serve as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026.

Following her graduate studies at Columbia University, she married John Harney in 1953. Elyse was not merely a partner in the family home but a co-founder of the tea company in 1983. Her professional reach extended beyond the world of tea; in 1987, she earned her real estate license and founded Elyse Harney Real Estate (EHRE). This venture proved instrumental in the family’s history, providing the financial stability necessary for the tea business to find its footing during its nascent stages. Today, EHRE stands as a premier real estate agency across the tri-state region of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The business has since become a multi-generational legacy in its own right, with Elyse’s daughter, Elyse Harney Morris, serving as the firm’s owner and lead broker, joined by her husband, Scott, and their daughter, Brittany.

Despite her busy schedule, Elyse remains deeply involved in the sensory aspects of the family business. Her personal preferences reflect a sophisticated palate, currently favoring a rotation of Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Angiogenesis Foundation Green Tea, and Japanese Sencha for her morning routine. In the afternoons, she often turns to oolongs, while her evenings are traditionally anchored by soothing options like Jasmine tea, the popular Yellow & Blue blend, or chamomile, a tisane that her late husband, John, faithfully brought to her for years.

The Second Generation: Expertise and Expansion

Mike Harney, the company’s Vice President and Master Tea Buyer, represents the transition of the brand into the modern era. After earning a degree in Hospitality Management and Hotel Administration from Cornell University and managing the Richmont Hotel in Chicago, Mike joined the family business in 1988. His role is vital to the company’s identity; as the Master Tea Buyer and blender, he travels the globe to foster relationships with producers, ensuring that Harney & Sons sources only the finest leaves. His expertise culminated in the 2008 publication of "The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea," a comprehensive work inspired by his years spent sampling and evaluating hundreds of varieties. Mike’s philosophy centers on "terroir"—the concept that a great tea must express the unique environment in which it was grown.

By his side is Brigitte Harney, a manager and buyer whose journey into the tea industry began with a chance encounter. Born in Suresnes, France, Brigitte arrived in the Connecticut area in 1977 to work as an au pair. During her stay, she was introduced to the Harney family, and later, while Mike was completing an internship in France, the two reconnected. Today, Brigitte’s influence on the brand is significant. While she is famously associated with "Brigitte’s Blend"—a delicate combination of silvery Ceylon and tippy, full-leaf Assam—her preferences are dynamic. She frequently turns to Supreme Breakfast tea for its robust character, or to seasonal favorites like the earthy Panyang Congou and Thai Rooibos in the autumn, shifting toward the light, floral notes of a first-flush Darjeeling when the weather warms.

The second generation also includes Paul Harney, whose role as Vice President is defined by innovation and a drive to modernize the tea-drinking experience. Paul was the visionary behind the company’s expansion into ready-to-drink organic teas and juices. Furthermore, he revolutionized their packaging by championing the pyramid sachet, an innovation that allows whole-leaf tea to expand properly while providing the convenience of a tea bag. Beyond tea, Paul was a driving force behind the 2018 launch of The Hemp Division, a sister company that leverages the Harney family’s expertise in premium botanicals to explore the growing market for hemp-derived products. His adventurous palate is best exemplified by his fondness for Horchata tea—a unique blend of milky oolong, toasted rice, and cinnamon—which serves as a nod to his affinity for Mexican culture.

The Third Generation: Carrying the Torch

The family’s future is currently being shaped by the third generation, including Emeric Harney, the Marketing Director. Emeric’s involvement began in his earliest years; he was only four when he started helping with simple tasks like peeling stickers for tea tins. By his pre-teen years, he was gaining hands-on experience in the retail shop, mastering everything from gift wrapping to customer sales.

Emeric’s contributions have been both creative and strategic. He has successfully developed popular blends such as Apple Cinnamon and White Christmas, and in 2010, he spearheaded the successful launch of the company’s SoHo retail location. Since 2016, his focus has shifted toward the marketing department, where he oversees brand management, product development, and ongoing tea sourcing. His own palate is eclectic, often starting his day with a traditional Matcha iri Genmaicha or finding solace in a cup of Panyang Congou in the afternoon.

Joining him in this third-generation effort is Alex Harney, who serves as the company’s Content Director and Café Director. Alex’s childhood memories are inextricably linked to the craft, recalling the precise, sensory-heavy work of blending Earl Grey with his grandfather, John, using cotton balls soaked in bergamot oil to infuse the tea leaves. After gaining experience in retail and tea tastings, Alex took on a new challenge in 2005 when the company moved its store to Millerton, New York. There, he founded and served as the executive chef of the Millerton Café, designing a menu of soups, sandwiches, and desserts that complemented the brand’s offerings. Today, he manages the company’s film and photography department, ensuring that the visual narrative of Harney & Sons remains as high-quality as the tea itself. Alex maintains a distinct preference for lightly oxidized oolongs, often recommending varieties such as Dong Ding Light, Wenshan Baozhong, and Ali San Oolong.

As the company looks toward the future, the Harney family remains grounded in the same principles that defined that first basement shop in 1983. While the family continues to grow and the business evolves to meet the changing demands of a global consumer base, the core mission remains unchanged: to source, sample, and blend the world’s finest teas. With each generation bringing new ideas, perspectives, and talents to the table, Harney & Sons is poised to continue its tradition of making the everyday experience of tea drinking something truly exceptional. For the Harneys, the business is not just a commercial endeavor, but a living, breathing legacy—one that promises that even as the years pass, there will always be something new and unexpected to discover in the next cup.