Molly Tea, a popular Chinese tea brand, is set to open its first Midwest store in Chicago’s Chinatown, bringing new flavors to the area.
CHICAGO: Chinatown is buzzing with excitement as Molly Tea prepares to open its doors. This beloved tea brand from China is making its Midwest debut at 2227 S. Wentworth Ave. on Friday.
Molly Tea is the first milk tea brand from mainland China to set up shop in Chicago, according to store manager Minnie Yang. It’s a fresh addition to the 13 bubble tea spots already in Chinatown.
In the last decade, bubble tea culture in China has really taken off. Brands like HeyTea have raised the bar, with folks lining up for hours to enjoy drinks made with real milk and fresh ingredients. This “New-Style” tea movement is all about quality and craftsmanship.
Now, this trend is making its way to the U.S. as more Chinese brands look to expand. Founded in Shenzhen in 2021, Molly Tea specializes in floral tea mixed with fresh milk, especially jasmine blends. Their first U.S. store opened in Queens, New York, and it raked in over $420,000 in sales in just the first month!
Yang shared that they chose Chinatown for its multicultural vibe. They see it as a perfect spot to introduce floral tea culture to a wider audience.
Last week, Yang was busy training staff and prepping for the grand opening. She mentioned they’ve been gearing up for this moment since last year, even flying to Shenzhen for training.
Before this, Yang managed a local bubble tea shop near Midway Airport. She noted that managing a big chain like Molly Tea comes with strict quality control and ingredient standards.
All the tea leaves come straight from China, and new employees have to practice making over 100 cups of tea daily to get ready for the opening. The Chicago menu will feature floral fresh milk teas with options like jasmine and osmanthus, plus oat milk choices.
They’re starting with just one fruit tea option, the Jasmine Mango Smoothie, to see what flavors Chicagoans enjoy before expanding the menu.
For the grand opening, Yang and her team are preparing hand warmers for customers waiting in line. They’ll also have staff outside to hand out menus and take orders to keep things moving smoothly.
From Friday to Sunday, Molly Tea will have a buy-one-get-one-free deal on its floral fresh milk tea. Plus, they’ll be giving away jasmine-scented sachets and Chicago Bean-shaped charms.
The arrival of Molly Tea could be just the start of more international tea brands coming to Chicago. There are even hints of another brand, HeyTea, opening across the street!
