The new Gong Cha outpost has officially opened at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.
This is the ninth Manhattan outpost for Gong Cha, which describes itself as "one of the most recognized bubble tea brands around the world" ... which got its start in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
This block of St. Mark's has seen a variety of bubble tea come and go through the recent years... some still in business (Kung Fu Tea right across the street).... and some not (Mi Tea). And there's more on the way for the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.
This storefront had been vacant since Lab -320° closed in late 2016 after six months of selling ice cream. The previous longtime tenant here, The Sock Man, closed in January 2016 after a reported rent hike via (now former) landlord Raphael Toledano.
Sock Man owner Marty Rosen later opened a new location at 99 1/2 St. Mark's Place ... where he remains today.
Added:
There was previously a Gong Cha location on 14th Street.
Photo by Steven
At this point they should just wall off St Marks Place, create a canal and fill the street with bubble tea and offer gondola rides, creating a Willy Wonka style bubble tea paradise. I bet Saint’s Alp Teahouse wishes they were still around.
ReplyDeleteSaint's Alp Teahouse would still be around if NYU hadn't kicked them out of their space.
ReplyDeleteI miss Saint’s Alp Teahouse. Also, I kinda view this Gong Cha as the replacement for the one that closed at 14th just east of 3rd, so not really net new.
ReplyDeleteFully agree, and this is a much better location for them - that area of 14th is a retail graveyard for the most part.
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