Milk Tea People, an acclaimed tea bar by Union Station, will be moving to a larger space in another area of Downtown Denver. As reported by Westword, the business received a $640,000 loan from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to relocate to the 16th Street Mall.
On its website, the brand shared a note of appreciation for the funding, saying, “This is more than just a business expansion; it’s an investment in our shared future. We are so grateful for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you into our new space. We believe that by growing, we can continue to serve you better, strengthen our community, and build a brighter future for us all.”
We are writing to you today with immense gratitude and excitement to share some wonderful news. We are honored to receive a significant loan from the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to support our expansion into a larger space. This funding is a testament to our shared vision and the hard work of everyone who has supported us from the very beginning.
Co-owner Kevin Ung told What Now Denver that the business is “still diligently working through the details for our move.” An exact address hasn’t been revealed, but a number of shells are available along the pedestrian mall. Denver 7 reported in May that the retail strip has a vacancy rate of 22 percent.
In recent years, heavy construction and crime have turned patrons and corporations away from the 16th Street Mall (which has now dropped the word “Mall” as work slowly wraps up). The DDA loan Milk Tea People received is part of a larger $100 million effort by the city to revitalize the area. Ice cream chain Sundae also received a loan.
