By Kate Koeffel
As customers walk inside The Spice & Tea Exchange—downtown Apex’s newly opened emporium for tea and other culinary accoutrements—they are met with an expansive array of earthy, herbal, and fresh blends of teas for sale. Customers can browse polished wooden shelves lined with aromatic spices, teas, and other cooking goods. Run by a dynamic father-and-son duo, Lawson and Trey Rankin, the store brings quality, community, and heart to the Historic District.
Motivated to pursue entrepreneurship and leave a stressful position in finances behind, Trey Rankin began looking for franchising opportunities before the pandemic. Dutifully, he spent years looking into endeavors before being introduced to The Spice & Tea Exchange by his father. With a preexisting interest in cooking and intrigued by the company’s operation style, they took a leap of faith.
By combining Lawson’s extensive background in business and entrepreneurship with Trey’s years in finance and managerial positions, the two paired up to open the retail store—a novel venture for them both.
Trey primarily runs the store and calls the shots on the bulk of decisions; however, his father has been a significant factor in the facilitation of the store. “Having a partner to help out when needed and bounce ideas off of has been very important,” says Trey.
Their father-son dynamic instills a positive, respectful working relationship—with the occasional friendly heckling and playful teasing, of course. The familial orientation doesn’t stop there, though. In times of doubt or concern, Trey credits his 16-month-old daughter for being a major source of motivation.
The opening of The Spice & Tea Exchange brings an abundance of value to the local community, with blends of spices and teas for all occasions available for purchase. Tea holds a unique place in the daily routines of many. Whether it be for energy in the morning, to wind down at night, or to serve at social gatherings, there is a sacred practice to preparing tea. From choosing the kind of tea, selecting a mug, and the time spent steeping the leaves, there is something intimate to everyone’s process. However, for the most exceptional piping cup, freshness and quality of ingredients is key.
Unlike most store-bought teas, the blends of leaves available at The Spice & Tea Exchange are of premium sourced ingredients and brought to shelves swiftly. “Our consumables are usually only one to three months old before selling; if they reach six months old, they are rotated out to make way for fresher products,” says Trey. Contrastingly, conventional suppliers may keep boxes of tea stored in warehouses for longer periods of time before even making it into stores. Tea is prone to losing depth and becoming stale as it ages. Due to degradation through exposure to oxygen, light, or heat, a blend of leaves loses its potency over time.
Purchasing prepackaged, prime blends of leaves and spice rubs allows consumers to preserve flavor without the timeliness of mixing ingredients and keeping track of the various containers, measurements, and specifications required. Simplifying this procedure allows consumers to develop potent beverages and dishes. In turn, this convenience brings ease to serving others during social gatherings. “They can also streamline special occasions or even basic meals, speeding things up for more quality time with family or friends without sacrificing flavor,” says Trey. Individuals may find a spice rub perfect for a holiday roast or a delightful tea to share at Sunday brunch. The possibilities are endless.
Encouraging and preserving sanctified social connection through flavor is just one way The Spice & Tea Exchange is cultivating community. After receiving a warm welcome from locals, the Rankins hope to continue to contribute value to Apex’s bustling business and shopping district.
One of the plans Trey and Lawson have for their store involves refurbishing a small space in the back to act as a gathering place. “We hope to host classes, tea clubs, book clubs, fun events, etc. Once the holidays are over we will be putting a good bit of work into this,” says Trey. Incorporating events into a storefront will help solidify The Spice & Tea Exchange as a staple business. Additionally, the Rankins want to support the surrounding area by donating to charities and PTAs, fostering a positive work environment, and creating a fun place to visit. They also hope to expand their wholesale business to include other local businesses, such as breweries and restaurants.
Through the twists and turns of business ownership and storefront management, the father-and-son team are optimistic for the future of the shop. With teamwork, trust, and collaboration, Trey and Lawson Rankin have been able to generate a source of quality and community in downtown Apex.
