Atkinsons was founded in Lancaster in 1837 as The Grasshopper Tea Warehouse, making it one of the oldest specialty coffee roasters and tea merchants in the country.
Atkinsons was founded in Lancaster in 1837 as The Grasshopper Tea Warehouse, making it one of the oldest specialty coffee roasters and tea merchants in the country. When the current owners took it over in 2004, the shop on China Street was largely unchanged from decades prior.
They relocated, downsized, and rebuilt the business from three staff to 42 across four locations. The roastery in Lancaster uses a Loring Smartroast, which the company says runs at 80% greater energy efficiency than conventional drum roasters.
Atkinsons holds B-Corp certification and publishes an annual impact report. Beyond the original China Street shop, the business runs The Music Room, The Hall, and a presence at Lancaster Castle, with wholesale supply to like-minded trade accounts across the region.
