New Cafe at 11th & Snyder: Tea Shake Fusion

**BarryG** · 11-09-2011, 09:08 PM

Just opened yesterday, northwest corner (old herbal remedy place). Bright, clean, big colorful signs. Speciality seems to be bubble tea and smoothies but they also have coffee and a small eclectic food menu--hoagies, chicken sandwiches, banh mi, pot stickers, fried calamari. I stopped in and spoke with the owner for a minute, seemed nice and welcoming. I didn't buy anything.

Looks like it could be a quality addition to Snyder Ave, and we need one.

**BarryG** · 11-10-2011, 09:41 AM

Stopped in this morning again. Apparently they only have temporary permits because one neighbor objects to the business. The zoning variance was for take-out, so the neighbor was afraid a ghetto Chinese takeout was moving in. Now that the cafe is open, it's obvious that it's not a ghetto business and should be positive for Snyder Ave. They have a petition in the store to support their permanent permits so go check it out and sign the petition!

**phillyplanner** · 11-10-2011, 01:41 PM

Actually, it's not just a neighbor, the civic association opposed the variance (EPX) and there were at least, two hearings regarding the business. I beleive the civic association does not object to the business itself (selling coffee and tea) but rather the application to the variance ( and I believe it's the ability to serve fried foods). Once there is a variance, it stays with the building regardless of the owners intentions or not. If this owner sells the business with a C2 designation and the ability to serve and sell fried foods, the next owner can make it into whatever they please; including the dreaded "Chinese Takeout". And the neighborhood will have no legal recourse to stop it.

Again: Coffee and Tea is bueno ! Coffee and Tea with a fryer is a different ballgame with respect to zoning and building codes. Please ask the owner to withdraw the application for a variance.

**BarryG** · 11-10-2011, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by phillyplanner

Actually, it's not just a neighbor, the civic association opposed the variance (EPX) and there were at least, two hearings regarding the business. I beleive the civic association does not object to the business itself (selling coffee and tea) but rather the application to the variance ( and I believe it's the ability to serve fried foods). Once there is a variance, it stays with the building regardless of the owners intentions or not. If this owner sells the business with a C2 designation and the ability to serve and sell fried foods, the next owner can make it into whatever they please; including the dreaded "Chinese Takeout". And the neighborhood will have no legal recourse to stop it.

Again: Coffee and Tea is bueno ! Coffee and Tea with a fryer is a different ballgame with respect to zoning and building codes. Please ask the owner to withdraw the application for a variance.

Are you sure different variances are required to serve just coffee/tea and fried foods? Boba needs to be heated too.

**Syrinx2112** · 11-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Sounds like the place might not last due to the zoning issues.

**philly704** · 11-10-2011, 06:06 PM

When is this place open? I went by in the morning and tonight at 5:30pm and it was closed.

**BarryG** · 11-10-2011, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by philly704

When is this place open? I went by in the morning and tonight at 5:30pm and it was closed.

It was open at 8:30 this morning, I stopped in. Last night I stopped by around 8:30 and they were open.

**philly704** · 11-11-2011, 09:43 AM

Is this cafe in the old t-shirt store?

**BarryG** · 11-11-2011, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by philly704

Is this cafe in the old t-shirt store?

No, the old "herbal remedy" place with the green sign. NW corner.

**hubba1** · 11-11-2011, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by philly704

Is this cafe in the old t-shirt store?

Block before the old Mr Tees.... which has it's own issues... I was talking to the woman who runs Mr tees (now on 15th and Passyunk) and she said multiple people have tried to lease or rent the place for various things, day care, a boutique... all had the money to pay for the place, and fix it up as needed... the owner is asian and turned them all down because he wants an asian person, running an asian business (aka take out or corner store), so that place may be empty for a while!

**philly704** · 11-11-2011, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by hubba1

Block before the old Mr Tees.... which has it's own issues... I was talking to the woman who runs Mr tees (now on 15th and Passyunk) and she said multiple people have tried to lease or rent the place for various things, day care, a boutique... all had the money to pay for the place, and fix it up as needed... the owner is asian and turned them all down because he wants an asian person, running an asian business (aka take out or corner store), so that place may be empty for a while!

Are you kidding? I would love a boutique or something else besides a crappy food take-out store. UGH!