On Jul 22, 1:45*pm, wrote:
> Hi, I'm Joanne's son...thought that I would add some comments about
> our experience.
>
> I have been to a number of tea shops in New York City, New Jersey, and
> elsewhere.
>
> I was surprised by our experience at "The Tea Gallary".
>
> First, it was a very very hot day. *We stopped by around 1pm, and it
> looked like he was just opening the store. *So we were hot and tired.
>
> The store was not air conditioned well. *We were not offered anything
> to drink. *We asked to have a cup of tea. *We were told that they
> don't serve cups of tea.
>
> Then we were told that we could do a tasting for $24. *It was a little
> bit strange. *He wasn't very enthusiastic about serving us.
>
> I wandered around the store for a little bit, it was cute, but
> disorganized. *I had trouble figuring out what tea was for sale.
>
> I think there might have been a little bit of a cultural barrier. *He
> didn't seem to understand why we were annoyed.
>
> In contrast, my fiancee and our friends went to Cha Ma Gu Dao Tea in
> Montclair, New Jersey this weekend. *We walked in and were offered
> free samples of ICED TEA. *You know, because it was freaking hot
> outside. *The service was friendly and they didn't try to force us to
> buy anything. *We ended up buying some of the loose tea, because it
> was that good. *They have a bar where you can sample tea and a wide
> open area inside with tables where you can sit down with your laptop,
> surf the internet and enjoy a cup of hot tea. *We've also been to
> Franchia, where you can sit down and order a cup of tea as well as
> participating in a sampling.
>
> In short, if you are going to have a store front in New York City,
> understand that when someone walks into your store, treat them with
> respect and offer them some tea.

I am a "Regualr" at the Tea Gallery. Still I will always call before
going. TTG is not your regular walk-in tea shop, a direct opposite to
Cha Ma Gu Dao in Montclair. Hope this help.