From festive tea blends and unique holiday gifts to family traditions, local collaborations, and a little Christmas Vacation humor, get to know Russ Collier, owner of Southport Tea.
There's something about the holidays that brings back memories. Maybe it's the smell of freshly baked Christmas cookies, the glow of holiday lights, or the comfort of a warm drink on a cold Wisconsin day.
For Russ Collier, owner of Southport Tea in Downtown Kenosha, the holidays are all about family, traditions, and making memories. And this year, he's adding something new to the mix: celebrating Southport Tea's very first holiday season!
Russ and his family are longtime Kenosha residents. After spending 25 years working in technology in Chicago's options trading industry, he took a different path and opened Southport Tea in 2026.
Now, before we get too far into this story, I have to share something. I'm a big fan of Russ! Not only is he a great guy who has brought something really special to Downtown Kenosha, but he also happens to be what I like to call the number one fan of the Ktown Connects Podcast!
And as one of the hosts, I certainly wasn't going to pass up an opportunity for a shameless podcast plug. Thanks for listening, Russ!
But seriously, one of the things I appreciate most about Russ is his enthusiasm for Kenosha, his support of other local businesses, and the genuine passion he puts into Southport Tea.
Located in Downtown Kenosha, Southport Tea is the city's only loose-leaf tea boutique, offering more than 125 varieties of tea and a shopping experience that encourages visitors to slow down, explore, and discover something new.
"We wanted to make loose leaf tea approachable and accessible to everyone," Russ shared.
And during the holidays, things are getting even more festive!
A Cup of Christmas Cheer
Cold Wisconsin weather and hot tea? That's a pretty perfect combination!
Beginning November 1, Southport Tea is introducing four holiday blends, including two returning favorites and two brand-new additions.
Returning favorites include Berry Hearth, a caffeine-free herbal blend featuring elderberries, hibiscus, cinnamon, and orange peel, and Cinnamon Candy Cane Rooibos, a naturally sweet blend of rooibos, peppermint, cinnamon, and vanilla.
New this year are Almond Lane, a caffeine-free fruit tea inspired by almond-flavored Christmas cookies, and Midwinter, a festive black tea featuring cinnamon, orange, clove, and peppermint.
And the holiday fun doesn't stop there!
Southport Tea will also offer pre-made and customizable holiday gift sets, Tea Trios featuring three different varieties, and its first-ever limited-release 12 Days of Tea Advent Calendar.
Looking for stocking stuffers? Russ says nearly all of the shop's one-ounce teas are priced under $10. You'll also find tea infusers, mugs, teaware, tea-themed shirts, and plenty of other unique gifts.
For those who can't make it to the shop, Southport Tea also offers physical and digital gift cards, along with online ordering and tea shipping throughout the United States.
"During a season when shopping can feel rushed and impersonal, we hope Southport Tea offers a refreshing change of pace and a more personal, memorable experience," Russ said.
Something New Is Brewing: Southport Tea's Tea Bar!
There's something exciting brewing at Southport Tea, and we're not just talking about the holiday blends!
One of the biggest developments at the shop is the long-awaited addition of a tea bar, which Russ expects to open before Thanksgiving.
The new tea bar will give customers another way to experience Southport Tea, with freshly brewed tea available to purchase and enjoy on the go.
Russ plans to start with a limited menu of freshly brewed teas, allowing the business to introduce the new experience while continuing to build on what makes the shop special.
And that's just the beginning!
Looking ahead to 2027, Russ hopes to expand the tea bar experience with tea tasting sessions, educational opportunities, and special events designed for everyone from longtime tea enthusiasts to people who are just beginning to explore the world of loose-leaf tea.
It's another exciting step for a business that has already brought something unique to Downtown Kenosha in its first year.
Lightin' Up Downtown with AHdidit!
Southport Tea is getting into the holiday spirit in a big way over Black Friday weekend!
From November 27–29, the shop will partner with local artist and maker Aaron Hunzinger, AKA AHdidit, for a special three-day pop-up art show during Downtown Kenosha's annual Lightin' Up festivities.
Aaron is known for his creative, one-of-a-kind handmade pieces, including custom light fixtures, furniture, leather goods, and other unique creations. During the pop-up, his handmade light fixtures will be showcased in Southport Tea's storefront windows, bringing a little extra glow to Downtown Kenosha!
(Click event link here)
And what better time to showcase handmade lighting than when Downtown Kenosha is glowing with holiday cheer?
And here's where things get even cooler, at least for me!
Not only am I a big fan of both Russ and Aaron, but they're also both former guests of the Ktown Connects Podcast! And as luck would have it, they're both big fans of the podcast, too!
Russ has earned the title of our number one fan, and Aaron isn't far behind!
So, seeing these two guys team up for something like this is pretty awesome. Two creative Kenosha business owners, two former podcast guests, and two guys who genuinely support our community coming together for the holidays.
And yes, I managed to sneak in another shameless Ktown Connects Podcast plug. You're welcome, Jason!
But seriously, this is exactly the kind of collaboration that makes Kenosha's small business community so special.
Visitors will have the opportunity to browse Aaron's one-of-a-kind creations, discover unique holiday gifts, explore Southport Tea's collection of more than 125 loose-leaf teas, and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Downtown Kenosha.
Southport Tea will also offer extended evening shopping hours until 9 PM on Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, giving visitors more time to stop in during the downtown festivities.
Whether you're shopping for someone special, looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of art, or simply enjoying the holiday happenings downtown, this is one stop you'll want to add to your weekend plans!
And this is what Connecting Kenosha is all about!
Oops, I mean connecting Kenosha's small businesses!
But seriously, seeing Russ and Aaron team up is a great example of what makes our community so special. Local business owners supporting one another, working together, and finding creative ways to bring people downtown.
Stronger businesses, stronger connections, and a stronger Kenosha. That's something worth celebrating!
Small Business Saturday: Shop Local, Sip Tea, and Win!
Saturday, November 28, is Small Business Saturday, and Southport Tea is celebrating with some special offers and a little extra holiday fun!
First up, everyone who makes a purchase at Southport Tea on Small Business Saturday will receive one raffle ticket with each purchase for a chance to win a Southport Tea gift basket.
It's a fun way to thank customers for shopping local while giving someone the chance to take home a collection of tea-inspired goodies.
And if you've got tea lovers on your holiday shopping list, you'll definitely want to check out the special gift card bonuses!
Small Business Saturday Gift Card Specials:
- Buy a $50 gift card and receive an additional $5 gift card FREE!
- Buy a $100 gift card and receive an additional $20 gift card FREE!
Gift cards make a great option for anyone who loves tea, enjoys discovering new flavors, or could use a little relaxation during the busy holiday season.
Plus, with more than 125 loose-leaf teas to choose from, there's something for just about every taste!
And don't forget, the AHdidit pop-up will also be happening throughout the weekend, with extended shopping hours until 9 PM on Saturday.
For Russ, Small Business Saturday is about more than just promotions. It's an opportunity to celebrate the local businesses, customers, and community that have helped Southport Tea grow during its first year.
"When you shop or dine at a locally owned business, you're doing more than just making a purchase - you're supporting your neighbors, their families, and the people who have invested their time and energy into making our community a better place."
Christmas Cookies, Holiday Lights, and Clark Griswold
Of course, we couldn't talk about the holidays without getting to know the man behind the tea!
For Russ, some of his favorite holiday memories go all the way back to childhood, when his parents would take him and his sister for drives around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights.
After sunset, his parents would load up the family and drive around looking at decorated homes. Russ remembers how much he looked forward to those outings and how seeing the lights made Christmas feel like Christmas.
And here's the really special part: it's a tradition Russ and his wife now continue with their own children.
Another tradition that's been passed down through generations is baking Christmas cookies.
Every year, Russ, his wife, and their kids make the same recipe that his mom used to make with him and his sister. And before that, his grandmother made those same cookies with his mom!
They're a combination of sugar cookies and almond-flavored oatmeal cookies, cut into festive shapes and decorated with red, white, and green icing and sprinkles.
Some traditions are just too good to change!
And when we asked Russ about the most memorable Christmas gift he's ever received, his answer was pretty hard to beat.
"As corny as it sounds – my son."
His son was born just a few days before Christmas, and the family brought him home from the hospital on Christmas Day.
Now that's a Christmas present!
But don't let all these heartwarming traditions fool you. Russ also has a little Clark Griswold in him!
When asked which holiday character best describes his personality, Russ chose the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation favorite.
He admits to making big plans, like cooking an entire family Christmas dinner himself, and then stressing out trying to pull everything together.
Sound familiar to anyone?
And yes, the Christmas Vacation theme song is his favorite holiday tune. In fact, when asked what one holiday song he could listen to for 24 hours straight, he picked that one again!
Russ and his family also have a tradition of watching Christmas Vacation every Christmas Day after lunch.
And speaking of holiday laughs, Russ shared another Christmas memory that might make you question his family's gift-giving traditions.
One year, when his son was six years old, Russ's parents wrapped up a stick they found in their yard and gave it to him as a Christmas gift, claiming it was from their dog!
Russ said he'd never seen his son look so confused and disgusted.
Now that's a gift you don't forget!
A Few More Holiday Fun Facts About Russ
We couldn't resist asking Russ a few rapid-fire holiday questions, and his answers certainly didn't disappoint.
When does the Christmas decorating begin? The day after Thanksgiving. No earlier!
Real or artificial Christmas tree? Artificial.
White or colorful Christmas lights? Russ prefers white, but his wife insists on colorful lights, so their household enjoys both!
Eggnog or hot chocolate? Eggnog. No hesitation!
Who would he invite to Christmas dinner? Weird Al Yankovic!
Russ has been a fan of Weird Al's music for years, and now his son is getting into it, too. He figures Weird Al would make a pretty entertaining dinner guest, especially if he performed a few of his holiday songs.
And what if Santa himself stopped by Southport Tea? Russ has him covered!
After a long night of delivering presents, Santa could grab a bold tea to keep himself going or something soothing to help him relax once the sleigh is parked.
Besides, after centuries of milk and cookies, maybe Santa's ready for something different!
Russ's Guide to Holiday Magic in Kenosha
As a longtime Kenosha resident and Downtown business owner, Russ has plenty of recommendations for visitors looking to experience the holiday season.
At the top of his list is seeing the Christmas tree at Veterans Memorial Park and taking an evening drive along Sixth Avenue to enjoy the downtown lights and festive storefronts.
He also recommends the Muni Lights Display and a drive down Christmas Lane.
For a day out in Kenosha, Russ suggests grabbing lunch at Sooshibay, exploring the locally owned shops downtown, and enjoying dinner at restaurants such as Kaiser's or Mr. Yee's.
And if you're looking for another great place to shop for holiday gifts, he recommends Blue House Books, one of Downtown Kenosha's independent bookstores.
For Russ, supporting local businesses is about much more than checking names off a holiday shopping list.
"Local businesses give Kenosha its unique personality and character, and the holidays are an especially important time to show them some love."
Looking Ahead to 2027
Opening a new business is no small undertaking, and Russ is grateful for the support Southport Tea has received during its first year.
From loyal customers to fellow Downtown business owners, he says the encouragement has helped Southport Tea find its place in the community.
As 2027 approaches, he's looking forward to expanding the tea selection, welcoming more customers, introducing new experiences, and continuing to build relationships throughout Kenosha.
But first, there's a very important milestone to celebrate: Southport Tea's first Christmas!
Whether you're searching for a unique holiday gift, exploring Downtown Kenosha, checking out the AHdidit pop-up, or simply looking for something warm and comforting to enjoy during the busy season, Southport Tea is ready to welcome you.
And who knows? You might just discover your new favorite holiday tradition, one cup at a time.
Visit Southport Tea in Downtown Kenosha and discover more than 125 loose-leaf teas, holiday gifts, seasonal blends, and a welcoming place to explore the world of tea.
Southport Tea
5701 6th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53140 • Facebook • Instagram • TikTok • southport-tea.com
Also revisit our archived interview with Russ >>
Learn more about AHdidit by following them on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok
💡 AHdidit POP-UP @ Southport Tea 🍃
