Village Tea Shop

Village Tea Shop Returns to Downtown Ridgewood, A Beloved New Jersey Tea Destination Begins a New Chapter. Some businesses become more than places to shop or grab a drink. They become part of the identity of a downtown, woven into the routines of local residents and the memories of visitors who return again and again. For more than a decade, Village Tea Shop earned that distinction in Ridgewood, becoming one of Bergen County’s favorite destinations for handcrafted tea beverages, premium loose leaf selections, and a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged guests to slow down and enjoy the experience. Now, after a brief transition, the beloved café is preparing for its next chapter with an anticipated reopening in August 2026, ensuring that one of downtown Ridgewood’s most recognizable gathering places continues its story.

Located at 2 South Maple Avenue in the heart of Ridgewood’s vibrant downtown shopping district, Village Tea Shop has long stood apart from the growing number of national beverage chains by focusing on craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and personal service. Rather than relying on mass produced drink mixes or automated preparation, the café built its reputation by carefully crafting beverages using premium loose leaf teas, fresh fruit, quality dairy and non dairy options, and thoughtfully selected ingredients that allowed each drink to stand on its own.

When local residents May and Yu Wang opened Village Tea Shop in 2014, they introduced a concept that was still emerging across much of New Jersey. Specialty tea cafés were becoming increasingly popular, but few offered the same level of attention to handcrafted preparation and customer experience. Over the next twelve years, the shop developed a devoted following among students, professionals, families, and tea enthusiasts who appreciated both the quality of the drinks and the welcoming atmosphere that made every visit feel personal.

The menu became known for its remarkable variety while maintaining an emphasis on freshness and consistency. Guests could choose from premium loose leaf teas served traditionally, refreshing fruit infused tea creations, handcrafted lattes, smoothies, and an extensive selection of bubble tea prepared with real ingredients rather than shortcuts. This dedication to quality helped distinguish Village Tea Shop within Bergen County’s increasingly competitive café scene and transformed it into a destination that many customers made part of their regular routine.

In June 2026, longtime patrons learned that the original owners would be closing the shop as their lease came to an end. News of the closure spread quickly throughout the Ridgewood community, prompting an outpouring of appreciation from loyal customers who reflected on years of memorable visits, favorite drinks, and the friendships that had developed inside the café. While many feared the beloved business might disappear permanently, plans were already taking shape to preserve the Village Tea Shop name and continue serving the community.

That future is now becoming a reality through new ownership led by Theresa Cheung, owner of the well known local favorite CiCi’s Bakery. Rather than allowing a familiar neighborhood business to fade away, Cheung has chosen to carry forward the Village Tea Shop brand while building upon the foundation established over the previous twelve years. Her involvement represents more than a simple business acquisition. It reflects a commitment to maintaining an independent local business that has become an important part of downtown Ridgewood’s character.

The transition also speaks to a broader trend across New Jersey, where locally owned businesses continue to play a vital role in shaping downtown communities. Independent cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and specialty shops provide experiences that cannot easily be replicated by larger chains. They contribute to the personality of their neighborhoods while creating places where residents gather, meet friends, work remotely, or simply enjoy a quiet moment during the day. Village Tea Shop has consistently fulfilled that role, making its return especially meaningful for the Ridgewood community.

Visitors returning after the August reopening can expect the qualities that made Village Tea Shop so popular while looking forward to thoughtful updates under its new leadership. The café’s reputation for premium tea selections, handcrafted beverages, fruit teas, bubble tea, smoothies, and specialty drinks remains central to its identity. Combined with its inviting atmosphere and downtown location, the shop is poised to continue serving both longtime customers and first time visitors discovering one of Bergen County’s hidden gems.

The location itself remains one of Village Tea Shop’s greatest strengths. Positioned in the center of Ridgewood’s bustling downtown district, it is surrounded by boutique retailers, restaurants, cafés, and community gathering spaces that make the village one of northern New Jersey’s premier shopping and dining destinations. Whether stopping in during a day of exploring downtown or making a dedicated visit for a favorite handcrafted drink, guests will once again have the opportunity to enjoy one of Ridgewood’s most recognizable independent businesses.

Directory Information

Business: Village Tea Shop

Address: 2 South Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey

Category: Independent Tea Café, Bubble Tea, Specialty Beverages

Reopening: August 2026

Originally Established: 2014

Original Founders: May and Yu Wang

New Owner: Theresa Cheung, owner of CiCi’s Bakery

Known For: Premium loose leaf teas, handcrafted bubble tea, fresh fruit teas, specialty lattes, smoothies, and small batch beverage preparation.

As Village Tea Shop prepares to welcome customers once again, its reopening represents more than the return of a neighborhood café. It celebrates the resilience of independent businesses, the importance of preserving community favorites, and the enduring appeal of locally owned establishments that continue to define New Jersey’s downtown districts. For Ridgewood residents and visitors alike, the next chapter of Village Tea Shop offers the opportunity to rediscover a familiar favorite while embracing a new generation of hospitality built upon the same commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and community that made the café a local institution in the first place.