A Legacy Brewed Over Centuries: Introducing Cooper & Co.

Few businesses can trace their roots to the days of the early British Empire, and fewer still continue to thrive with their founding values intact. Cooper & Co., Jersey’s venerable tea and coffee merchants, stands among this rare breed - its story steeped in a rich tradition of trade, craftsmanship, and community.

Though the exact origins of the Cooper name have become obscured by time, historical records show that on 24th June 1834, Thomas Cooper, Richard Cooper, and John Stringer embarked on a new commercial venture under the name Thomas Cooper and Co., dealing in the wholesale of essential commodities. From those modest beginnings, the company rapidly evolved into an international concern, exporting teas to British colonies and developing a global trading network long before the modern notion of globalization took hold.

By the late 19th century, Cooper & Co. had established itself not only as a major trader but as a household name. A preserved front-page advertisement from an 1890 edition of the Jersey Evening Post proudly lists the company among the "Tea Men" of King Street, with its own dedicated shopfront. To this day, Cooper & Co. holds the distinction of being one of the oldest surviving locally owned companies in Jersey - a badge worn with justified pride.

Today, the company operates four locations across the island, with its flagship at 57 Halkett Place serving as the central hub for roasting, packing and retail. Its café presence has also grown, from a waterfront outpost at Castle Quay to inviting locations within the Grand Marché Co-Op and, most recently, a sleek, licensed café in the IFC5 building at the heart of St. Helier’s financial district.

Yet Cooper & Co. is more than a brand - it is a philosophy in practice. A longstanding member of the Fairtrade Foundation, the company has committed itself not only to ethical sourcing, but also to cultivating genuine relationships with producers. From Peru to Myanmar, Honduras to the Araku Valley of India, Cooper & Co. has walked the soil where its beans are grown, forging direct connections with farmers and reaffirming its belief in traceable, sustainable supply chains.

Locally, its values extend well beyond the bean. Recognised as an “Eco-Active” business under the States of Jersey’s environmental scheme, Cooper & Co. champions the principles of recycling, reduction, and reuse. Its cafés aim to be more than transactional spaces, they strive to become anchors in the community, upholding traditional values while engaging through modern means.

With over 300 food service clients ranging from beach cafés to Michelin-starred establishments, Cooper & Co. also plays a quietly pivotal role in Jersey’s gastronomic scene. From providing top-tier coffee to offering on-site training and support, their commitment to quality and partnership is unwavering.

As Cooper & Co. now joins Harti as a partner in the SIP SEA CHANGE campaign, their legacy of mindful commerce and community engagement finds a new and fitting chapter. United by shared values of sustainability, transparency and social impact, this collaboration promises to brew more than just exceptional coffee, it invites us to pause, sip, and consider the world we wish to shape.