Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Closes All Its New York Shops — At Least for Now

By Nicole Levy | October 5, 2016 11:07am | Updated on October 7, 2016 5:15pm
 Californians lined up for the opening of New York City's first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf location in 2011.
Californians lined up for the opening of New York City's first Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf location in 2011.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Jill Colvin

Californian transplants in New York City may be mourning the loss of their favorite java joint.

Less than a week after International Coffee Day, the Los Angeles-based coffeehouse chain Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has closed all of its New York locations, the West Side Rag first reported Tuesday.

"Temporarily closed for remodeling," read a sign posted in the window of a Coffee Bean shop at 532 Amsterdam Ave. The placard promised the store will reopen soon with a "new look & new brew."

"We value the brand’s loyal following in the Big Apple and intend to swiftly bring The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf hand-crafted coffees and teas, including the world famous Ice Blended drinks, back to New York City," franchise spokesman Michael Kutach said in a statement provided to DNAinfo New York.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf opened its first Manhattan outpost in August 2011, to the delight of native Californians raised on its distinctive "ice blended" drinks in sweet flavors like white chocolate and black forest.

The deliverer of caffeine fixes expanded from its Midtown foothold at the intersection of Broadway and West 39th Street to 12 shops across the borough.

Coffee Bean, we'll miss munching on your delightfully chewable ice and sipping mocha ice blended drinks through your signature purple straws. Don't des(s)ert us.