Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar previously operated in a space half this size, and after testing the concept for a year with the existing space and leftover bar from a gelato business, this spunky mother/daughter duo decided it was time to renovate.
The clients needed to expand the tea bar for better staff functionality, efficiency, dining space and customer comfort, and really wanted a space that fit their personality and brand. Early on the client expressed an interest in having a space that looked industrial with pops of purple and green throughout. By blowing out the back wall of the gelato space and expanding into the back part of the gift shop, we were able to double the size of the space and triple the amount of seating. We used a combination of barn wood, industrial lighting, and a custom steel frame factory style window wall to give it the industrial look the clients desired. Since we moved the main operation to the back of the building and the placed the dining in front, the steel framed window wall allows the staff visual control over who is coming in the front door, allows natural light from the storefront windows to flow to the back of the space, places the customers closer to the windows, and provides a sound barrier from the noisy process of customer transactions and drink making.
Over the counter, we created custom lighting with purple and green cords to turn up the fun factor and covered the chairs in vinyl to protect from spills. Green metal was used on the order and pick up counters to call out the different functions, and the central portion of the bar was raised to provide a barrier for the prep area where drinks are made.
