CHELSEA — A West Village cafe is moving its Japanese green teas and $10 avocado toasts uptown.
Chalait — which is being forced to close its shop at 224 W. Fourth St. at the end of July — will open a location at West 30th Street and Broadway in August and a Chelsea Market outpost in September, owner Michelle Gardner said.
“We had a buyout clause [in our contract with the landlord] and unfortunately that was triggered,” said Gardner, 34, who opened Chalait last year.
“When we found out about this move, obviously we were absolutely devastated. We’ve built quite the following,” she added.
The eatery's landlord could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
The new cafes will still serve Chalait’s signature drinks, including the “Chalait Hot Chocolate” (a “matcha latte” with chocolate sauce) and the “Matcha Cortado” (a shot of matcha with steamed milk), Gardner said.
While the Midtown location will be beverage-only, with “limited food items,” the Chelsea Market spot will serve drinks, sandwiches and tartines, including Chalait’s $10 avocado toast, she said.
“We really hope people who are close to Chelsea Market or who are close to Broadway and 30th will continue to come to Chalait,” Gardner said.
“[But] we’re still looking to hopefully relocate to somewhere in the West Village, because we love being in the Village.”
