(Image: Matcha Magic)
11th and Pine is a popular location for growing your new-era food and drink startup. By early 2025, 11th Ave will have a cluster of food and drink at its E Pine corner including the first brick and mortar location of the eco and farmer-friendly Mt. Joy chicken sandwich chain, a new Seattle location of the Sweetgreen fast-casual salad chain, and a Seattle expansion of the Bellevue-born Matcha Magic “plant-forward” tea chain.
The growing company announced the planned 11th Ave location last week along with a planned August opening in South Lake Union.
“With over 100 franchise requests since its opening, Matcha Magic is expanding while retaining its high quality and sustainability standards. Matcha Magic is backed by Conscious Hospitality Group, a growth equity investor that provides incubation, capital, and connections to expand purpose-driven concepts,” Matcha Magic said in the announcement. “The future of Matcha Magic includes more new openings around Seattle and nationwide openings in Hoboken, NJ, and Nashville, TN.”
The proto-chain is just getting started. Former Boeing designer Rachel Barnecut launched the company with its first location in Bellevue in 2022. “It’s everywhere,” Barnecut said of matcha in an interview about the launch and taking the drink to new heights. “How can we elevate such a well-loved drink and make it taste good and have good benefits?”
Matcha Magic has settled on an approach focused on “education around the many benefits of matcha” and serving it in an “approachable and fun atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, its menu includes “a variety of inventive beverages” including Toasted MatchaMallow Latte and the Caramel Maca-Iato, “catering to both adventurous palates and those seeking a familiar yet revitalizing experience.”
While Matcha Magic prepares to fit in on the block, this fall will bring a new Seattle location of the Sweetgreen salad chain.
Matcha Magic and the new Sweetgreen will neighbor Mt. Joy, the first location in a planned “pasture raised” chicken sandwich chain from prolific Capitol Hill and Seattle restaurateur Ethan Stowell and tech investor Robbie Cape.
Learn more at itsmatchamagic.com.
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Boring. Our choices are becoming less and less. Not to mention that drinks looks gross. Just for pics. So dumb!
The Hill just ain’t hitting like it used to with all these new places. I guess this is what people in the LES felt in the aughts. Things are just turning banal, sterile, predictable.
I wonder if you’ll order via tablet!
LOL Ma’am, there was a Kentucky Fried Chicken around the corner. Are those the glory days you’re yearning for? LOL
Actually, I’d be happy if a Taco Time returned. A Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, or a KFC wouldn’t be half bad – at least they are more nationally priced and I could have a quick meal option for under $20, maybe $15 – a bargain for under $10 without a 22% tip screen that’s not Dick’s.
Having lived here since 1987, I’m not privy to what “LES” stands for. Help me out millennial for I am lost without you
LES is probably Lower East Side (in NYC).
Atulea on 12th Ave has been slinging some great matcha drinks for the past six years. Bummer to see a franchise chain opening just two blocks away—hopefully there’ll be room for both.
there’s literally one other location of match magic at the moment – it’s not even a “chain” yet
The link to the website doesn’t work.
As a matcha hater, I’m never going to this store lol