If you remember the lines that wrapped around the block when MACU Tea was at Union Square, get ready for a repeat.
Alfa Tea Concept, the brand that replaced all three former MACU Tea locations across Metro Vancouver, has announced that its Richmond outpost will soft open on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The location is inside Union Square Shopping Centre, the same complex that locals affectionately call Diabetes Plaza.
For the soft opening, Alfa Tea is giving away 300 limited edition mini glass mugs.
To get one, you share a photo of your drink on Instagram and tag @alfateaconcept. It is a first-come, first-served deal with only 300 available.
This is the second Alfa Tea location to open in Metro Vancouver.
The Burnaby store on Kingsway soft opened back on April 11, 2026, and drew massive lines on day one, with wait times stretching past 30 minutes.
Expect similar energy in Richmond, especially given how popular MACU Tea was at this exact location before all three Metro Vancouver MACU stores closed abruptly in March 2026.
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, MACU Tea is a Taiwanese chain known for their fresh fruit “dessert drinks”.
One franchisee opened up three locations in Metro Vancouver and suddenly shut them down earlier this Spring, causing a lot of sadness for locals.
The only remaining Macu Tea (Kerrisdale) was opened by another franchisee and was unaffected.
But when the closures hit, it caused hour long line ups as people rushed to get their last sip.
That is how much people missed it.
Alfa Tea is positioned as the successor (and dupe), taking over the same spaces with a menu focused on fresh fruit teas, milk teas, seasonal fruit smoothies, and ceremonial Japanese matcha sourced from Shizuoka, Japan.
The brand is also planning two more locations.
One at Lougheed, and a flagship on Robson Street downtown that will introduce a “Day Tea, Night Bar” concept.
The Richmond opening adds to an increasingly crowded drink scene at Union Square, where Molly Tea has also recently opened.
Between the two, Diabetes Plaza is living up to its name more than ever.
Alfa Tea Richmond joins other recently opened food spots in Richmond, including Ban Bu Xian Alexandra, Cafe Gloucester, and Chow Noodles.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 8368 Capstan Way, Unit 1316, Richmond (Union Square)