Richmond’s food scene has been a whirlwind of openings and closures.
But nowhere is this more evident than at Union Square Shopping Centre—dubbed the “bubble tea plaza” for its dense concentration of bubble tea shops.
Just yesterday, we reported the closure of the popular chain Machi Machi, marking the end of its presence in BC.
Now, it seems another bubble tea spot has fallen, as YiFang Fruit Tea has also closed its doors in the plaza.
It is a double KO in the bubble tea war in Union Square.
YiFang, known for its fruit-forward beverages and deeply rooted story, has been a beloved part of the bubble tea scene for years.
The brand’s name and signature drink are inspired by the founder’s grandmother, Yi-Fang, who created a pineapple jam that became the cornerstone of the family’s fruit tea legacy.
Each cup of YiFang Fruit Tea is crafted using seasonal fruits and ingredients, offering a refreshing and natural flavour free from concentrated juices.
According to the closure announcement posted on the door, YiFang’s Union Square location officially shut down on October 1st, after six years of operation.
This closure follows a string of recent shutdowns for YiFang, with the Richmond Oval location and the Burnaby Crystal Mall outpost both quietly transitioning into Lattea, a new bubble tea brand.
Individuals on Chinese social media has also shared that the Robson Street outpost has quietly closed and is transforming to Lattea as well.
It’s unclear whether the Union Square location will follow suit.
Union Square, however, isn’t likely to stay quiet for long.
Known as the ultimate battleground for bubble tea brands, the plaza is already seeing new contenders.
With HeyTea and Chayan both set to open soon, we’ll see if they can challenge reigning fav in the plaza – MACU Tea.
So while YiFang may be gone, the bubble tea wars in Richmond’s Union Square are far from over.
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