Teaopia, the tea shop at 1592 Bayview Ave. will close shortly. Teaopia, as those who follow the tea and coffee industry will know, is owned by Starbucks. A one-time Canadian start up, Teaopia, landed on Bayview in the fall of 2011 at the location previously leased by the Tea Emporium. Shortly after that, Teaopia was sold to the U.S. tea room and over-the-counter chain Teavana. Then last year the surprise of them all as Starbucks moved to buy Teavana, lock, stock and tea barrel. Those who know South Bayview will recognize that Teaopia has never been as busy as its owners-of-the-moment would wish. Coffee seems to remain the dominant drink and most of that action happens on the east side of the street.
