Welcome to my site dedicated to the history, people and shops of the former International Tea Company Stores Limited. I hope that you enjoy this site and would welcome any further information or photos you may like to send me.

History

The first retail branch of ‘Kearley & Tonge’ was opened in Brentford in 1878. The business taking its name from two of its founders H E Kearley and G A Tonge.

Soon more branches followed and in 1895 the company changed its name to the International Tea Company’s Stores Limited.

The company quickly diversified by establishing wholesale and manufacturing operations. A new large bakery was built in Bethnal Green, London, with production starting in 1906.

International Stores as it became known developed into one of the first modern supermarket chains. Yet today, following take overs and rebranding the name and history of the company is little known.

People

Born in 1856, Hudson Ewbanke Kearley was the son of a master builder. Unable to enter the Civil Service, as he had wanted, he joined a firm of coffee merchants in Fenchurch Street, London.

Later he started to sell tea on his own to small retailers, forming ‘Kearley & Company’.

Mr Kearley was joined by H J Evans and G A Tonge, eventually to create Kearley and Tonge.

Over the next hundred years, or so, thousands were employed by this major high street retailer.

Perhaps you or a member of your family was one on them?