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Tea Republik getting ready to blend in on Broadway

(Images: Tea Republik)

With the light rail connection to the University District right around the block and set to open by early 2016, Broadway and John’s cafe connection to places familiar to the University of Washington crowd will also get a boost before the end of the year.

The signs have gone up for Tea Republik in the 200 block of Broadway E just a block from the coming soon Capitol Hill Station.

Owner Jeffry Kurniawan confirmed the hoped-for December opening with CHS. He and business partner Anton Lim will be opening their second Tea Republik to join the original University Way NE location which opened in 2012 and got a full makeover in early 2013.

The cafe is known for its hangout vibe and “fusion” approach to tea.

“Tea does not have to [always] be served traditionally because there is so much more potential for tea blending,” Lim said in 2013. “In my opinion, each tea has its own natural flavor that can be enhanced and used [to] complement other flavors once you know how to blend them; it can make something unique and delicious.”

The new location joins a Capitol Hill tea scene that seems to be quietly percolating without boiling over with massive chains moving in on the action. Remedy Teas on 15th Ave E is the area’s dedicated leader — we visited the shop here in 2012 as Remedy marked six years on the Hill. Other sweeter variants are coming. Earlier this year, CHS reported that man behind Oasis Tea Zones was bringing a location to E Pine — just as soon as he has time to build it out.

New neon work at Tea Republik's neighbor (Image: CHS)

New neon work at Tea Republik’s neighbor (Image: CHS)

Tea Republik Broadway takes over a space left empty by the exit of “Latin folklore” cafe Cintli which shuttered earlier in 2014 after about a year of business on Capitol Hill.

Lin and Kurniawan arrive with a much simpler recipe including tea, music, and a place to chill. Hours in the U District are 10 AM to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM to 11 PM the rest of the week except Sunday when the shop doesn’t open until 2 PM. You can learn more on the Tea Republik Facebook page.

According to construction permits, the tea shop neighboring American Apparel will also soon neighbor a “Diamond Verizon Wireless” business that appears to be opening in the long-empty retail space that last was home to one of the area’s nomadic African import stores. Meanwhile, the Capitol Hill outlet of American Apparel soldiers on as the chain weathers financial difficulties and has started shuttering some stores overseas. American Apparel’s Broadway location, a CHS advertiser, recently invested in its space with some new neon work by Zapp Electric.

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Todd
Todd
9 years ago

Tea Republik? There already exists a rather prominent brand called ‘The Republic of Tea.’

I hope these guys have done the due diligence necessary to make sure they are not going to be sued. I assume they have. But man, if not…

genevieve
genevieve
9 years ago

I’m still cryin’ in my hot cocoa over Cintli’s demise, but I’ll give this place a try. Here’s hoping…

Asher
Asher
9 years ago

Will they last 6 months?

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[…] tea? Tea Republik has opened on Broadway. But no sign of Oasis and its bubble teas yet on E […]