Neighbor News
Brookline Tea House Gets Mixed Reaction
The first of its kind tea house opened last month and has some residents excited while others are skeptical.
Gen Sou En, the first Japanese tea house of its kind in the greater Boston area, opened its doors in Brookline on February 21. Located in Coolidge Corner, Gen Sou En is in the heart of Brookline, and word is spreading rather quickly about it.
Some locals are intrigued by the addition, basing their interest off of appearances.
“It seems like it has a really cool atmosphere,” said Alex Miller, a Brookline resident for the past five years, “I haven’t been able to try it yet, but I pass it all the time.”
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Others shared similar sentiments about being interested in Gen Sou En, but not having tried it yet.
“It definitely looks cool, but since it isn’t somewhere I’d go on a daily basis, I haven’t found the time to go” said Ian Hruniak, a Brighton resident who lives approximately a mile away from the Coolidge Corner location.
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On the other hand, there are people who have no interest in Gen Sou En’s arrival.
“I’m not a tea person honestly, so I have no desire to go. I know they have things besides tea, but I just can’t see myself going,” said Liz Duanys, a freshman at Newbury College.
This was a common response, and was reiterated.
”I don’t feel the need to go. I’ve heard about it, but I would rather go to Dunkin’ to grab an iced coffee instead; although some of my coworkers are really excited about it,” said Alexis Vieira, an employee at nearby Japanese restaurant FuGaKyu.
With the plethora of coffee and tea options in Brookline, Gen Sou En certainly has a lot of competition. Something as new and unique as a traditional Japanese tea house might find tough reception in the Boston-area, where many people will not stray from their routine of a Dunkin’ coffee every morning.
However, for those who have tried it, many are fans, especially of the ambiance.
“The interior, specifically the furniture, is beautiful. I know that the tea might not be for everyone, but they carry a lot of other options and I think everyone could find something here,” said Sam Tran who came from the Chestnut Hill area to try the tea house.
Gen Sou En does offer a lunch and dinner menu, while trying to keep their main focus on tea.
Alina Milauskas is a communications student at Newbury College.
