A new cafe in Downtown Williamsburg is no longer a secret.
The Secret Garden Cafe recently opened in Merchants Square at 110 S. Henry St. to serve the area with an array of fruit juice, dessert waffles and other fresh items, according to a Facebook post from the business.
The business was originally set to open earlier in the fall but had to keep pushing the date back because of permitting restrictions and construction, said Suyoung Park, the son of the business’ owners, Dongjin Park and Hyunmi Baek.
“Our family had been very concerned that it was getting delayed,” Park said. “But now, it’s definitely a new start. It’s the start of a new stage and I feel like it’s finally done.”
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Park said while his parents’ names are on the contact, the business is run and operated equally by all of the members of the family, including his sister, Sujin Park. He said the family business aspect is something that makes the business feel welcoming to customers.
The new business is also bringing the international phenomenon of “bubble tea” to the area. Park said this helps make the business unique because it’s one of the few in Williamsburg that offers the specialty drink. In addition, the cafe serves milk tea, brewed tea and fruit tea. Park noted that all of the teas are brewed everyday.
Since the business has opened, Park said they have had a wonderful reaction from customers and even the few students left on campus over break.
“The students seem to like it and other local people,” he said. “We just wanted to make customers feel comfortable and wanted to make a place where people want to stay for an hour or two and have a conversation with friends and family.”
The business is named “Secret Garden” in order to reflect the fresh and natural ingredients featured on the menu. In addition, the cafe is decorated with plants and decor is designed to give an earthy, garden-like atmosphere.
Park said the business is currently planning a grand opening event in early 2020, but a date has not been decided.
To learn more, visit Secret Garden Cafe online.
