Richmond’s food scene is constantly changing, and during our latest patrol around the city, we spotted some big moves in the works.
While many spots are covered up and under renovation, one particular transformation caught our attention at Union Square.
The Taiwanese dessert chain, Blackball, was completely gutted and had a sign that said they would be closed for renovation.
Although we found it odd, we assumed it was simply just the entire flooring needed a change.
But a few hours later, a community member (@withnatwong) shared with us photos of that exact Blackball is being transformed into Richmond’s first HeyTea.
For those unfamiliar with the brand, HeyTea is a pioneer in the “New-Style Tea” and “Cheese Tea” movements that started in 2012 in a small alley in Jiangbianli, China.
They’ve since exploded in popularity, with over 1,000 stores across China, Singapore and the UK.
HeyTea prides itself on quality, using only natural ingredients like 100% fruit juices, natural rock sugar, and no powders.
Their signature fresh foam is made with oolong tea leaves sourced from Taiwan and cheese from New Zealand.
If you’ve ever wanted a bubble tea experience that’s as photogenic as it is delicious, HeyTea is the place to be.
Their first BC location opened at Burnaby’s Crystal Mall in March 2024, and now, Richmond is next on the list.
Rumors of a HeyTea opening on Alexandra Road had been swirling around since June, but nothing came of it—until now.
Union Square, already known as Richmond’s bubble tea hotspot, is about to get even more crowded with HeyTea joining the ranks.
Given the large size of the former Blackball unit, it’ll be interesting to see how HeyTea utilizes the extra space.
As of now, there’s no official opening date, but we’re keeping our eyes peeled for any updates.
Don’t forget to share this with your bubble tea-loving friends!
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Address: 8300 Capstan Wy Unit 1063, Richmond, BC V6X 4B7