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Charlie Chen had operated a Taiwanese-style bubble tea shop in his former home of New York before moving to Canada in 2016 to be closer to his family, so opening a tea shop was a natural next step. Charlie scouted locations in Waterloo and Mississauga before settling on a Bloor Street storefront in Toronto, where he opened Cup O House in January 2016.

Unlike tea house chains that have a grab-and-go concept, Cup O House offers an environment conducive to lingering over your sweet beverage order. “It’s the kind of place where people can come, sit down and study,” explains Chiwai Leung, Cup O House supervisor. A bookshelf in the corner is stocked with novels and games to keep visitors entertained while comfortable cushioned armchairs and free WiFi encourages customers to relax and linger. “You can stay and talk with your friends here,” Chiwai says. “It’s super chill.”