Junbi Matcha and Tea owner CT Nguyen wants his Brookline Village cafe to become a regular gathering place for students, neighbors and people working nearby.
The shop at 190 Washington St. began its soft opening June 30 and celebrated its grand opening July 11, according to its Instagram announcement. It joins Princeton, New Jersey, as one of the Los Angeles-born chain’s two East Coast locations.
Nguyen, a longtime Boston resident, told The Cypress, Brookline High School’s student newspaper, that he hopes to draw more attention to the village.
He called the neighborhood “the hidden gem that not a lot of people think about.”
Students who present a school ID receive 15% off, Nguyen told the newspaper. He hopes the offer encourages them to try his shop instead of heading to larger coffee chains.
The menu includes matcha sourced from Uji, Japan, which Nguyen described as premium ceremonial grade. Barista Joaquin Sorrentino told The Cypress that customers can also order hojicha, a roasted green tea.
Nguyen said the cafe has attracted repeat customers from Brookline High School and nearby medical institutions.
The grand-opening announcement advertised a lion dance, a DJ, raffles and complimentary drinks and mochi donuts for the first 100 people in line.
Junbi’s company directory lists 17 established locations across eight states, including an Irvine, California, shop marked temporarily closed. Additional locations are listed as coming soon.
The Brookline cafe is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
