By Assunta Ng
Northwest Asia Weekly
Anh Pham (Photo: Assunta Ng)
Businesses affected by theft are common. But the owner, Anh Pham, said that Jardin Tea, which recently opened in the Uwaijiaya cafeteria, had “malicious and destructive behaviors other than stealing.”
(Photo from Jardin Tea)
In addition to flooding the site, the thief also stole more than 6 pieces of commercial equipment and syrup needed to operate the business, with a total loss of more than $15,000.The two cut off the water pipe at the venue and blew out the power outlet at around 5 a.m. on July 14
The camera captured the suspect’s face. Pham shared his misfortune on Instagram and offered $2,000 as a reward to anyone with information to resolve the case. Pham said that a suspect’s face looked familiar because he went to the store some time ago to buy drinks.
Before the security of Uwajimaya came over, the suspect pretended to be a deliveryman to carry the box and stayed in the store for half an hour.
“They know what they are doing.” Fan suspects that the thief has been monitoring his business for a while. Did not break in. Entering from the corporate door facing South of Fifth Avenue, the suspect knew the door code.
Pham, 35, said he was initially upset about the chaos caused by the suspect, but quickly reminded himself to be optimistic.
“When something like this happens to you, you can’t help but feel that you have been violated and you will never feel better. I can’t say that I am not angry, but my anger is short-lived because I know that my employees rely on The shop makes a living.”
(Photo from Jardin Tea)
Pham hired 10 employees to work for his tea shop. He said that his tea is made with high-quality raw materials and traditional methods. Both the younger generation and the older generation can find their favorite drinks in his store. Pham said that he learned this art through a “tea master”, and he traveled all over the world looking for wonderful tea experiences.
Iced strawberry rose matcha milk tea (photo from Jardin Tea)
Now, Pham is focusing his “energy on getting the business back up and running. This helps me not get into an emotional cycle and feel sorry for myself.”
Pham said the total loss was approximately US$30,000, including US$15,000 in equipment and repairs to water and electricity lines.
Matcha Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade (Photo from Jardin Tea)
“It’s frustrating and sad to see that everything has happened, and there are others out there to make the situation worse with these actions,” Fan said. However, he was very relieved that customers from afar bought drinks to support him.
As the staff of Uwajimaya quickly repaired the disconnection, the incident did not affect the business hours of Jardin Tea. The theft created huge financial and operational obstacles for Jardin Tea.
Pink milk tea (photo from Jardin Tea)
“But we will not be cancelled easily, and we will remain open to serve our customers,” Pham said. The police dedusted and collected the fingerprints of the suspect left in the store.
This is Fan’s second business. He owns another tea shop in Lake Union. Jardin Tea aims to bridge the gap between the traditional tea house and the young and popular concept of a Boba tea shop.
Jardin Tea is not the only Boba tea shop that has been targeted by thieves. Oasis was broken into five times, and photos of the suspect were posted outside the teahouse. Young Tea and Fuji Bakery were also affected.
Assunta can be reached assunta@nwasianweekly.com.
