Let’s get this par-tea started as we connect with Russ Collier – owner and operator of Southport Tea, located at 5701 Sixth Ave in Downtown Kenosha. We dive deep into Russ growing up in Winthrop Harbor – a community so devoid of activities, that his family had to regularly visit our fine city of Kenosha for recreation and fun. Russ has an interesting story which brings him to the bustling city of Chicago, the west suburbs (where he discovered his love for tea), and bringing his family to Kenosha where he would eventually decide to leave the corporate world for something that would be more beneficial to his family life and mental health. In the fall of 2024, Russ launched Southport Tea, a simple table at Kenosha Public Market, which has now led to his own brick and mortar tea retail shop which opened this spring!

Southport Tea is open Wednesdays – Sundays. Visit their website here for more info.
And be sure to follow them on Facebook to stay informed of all his latest blends!

This episode was recorded at the Ktown Connects Southport Tea studio on June 29th, 2026.

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Drop us an email at ktownconnects@yahoo.com

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Save the date! Sunday, August 16th for our 200th Episode Spectacular live at Union Park Tavern (4520 8th Ave)

Ktown Connects is brought to you by:

Southport Tea, 5701 Sixth Ave

Ron’s Place, 3301 52nd St

Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave.

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