“Our new economy is already at our doorstep”
– Emmett Soldati, owner/founder of Teatotaller
Somersworth, New Hampshire…Determined to creatively meet the challenges of the coronavirus, Teatotaller proprietor Emmett Soldati has announced that the vibrant gathering place in Somersworth made the decision to hold off re-opening their dine-in establishment until early 2021, while the business continues to move forward with bringing the best of Teatotaller to customers. After suspending most operations on March 14th, Soldati immediately pivoted to #DoorstepBoba, delivering one of the cafe’s most popular drinks – bubble tea – to customers throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast and Concord, the site of the second Teatotaller, now in the planning stages. Beyond the doorstep deliveries, Teatotaller has launched its online tea blends under the name, Chai Curious.
But for Soldati, #DoorstepBoba and Chai Curious are only the beginning. “We’re not going away,” said Soldati. “The soul of Teatotaller is that it’s an inclusive, vibrant gathering place. We have an opportunity to continue to create that sense of community, even if it isn’t in our physical location. We are adapting to the times and to this new economy by bringing a bit of joy to folks’ doorstep. Stay tuned! Don’t come to us; we’ll come to you!”
Why make this decision today?
“Our new economy is already at our doorstep. Businesses cannot make decisions based solely on government executive orders. Simply lifting the ‘shelter at home’ order will not be enough. The economic realities of a restaurant business and the continued risks to public health do not add up to us reopening responsibly this year. We have to focus on what works best for our business, our team, and our customers.”
At the moment, the Somersworth cafe on High Street is producing the bubble tea for two days of deliveries in the Seacoast and Concord. The familiar brightly striped wall is the backdrop for both popular online Teen Drag Shows and also for Soldati’s weekly SmallBizLive – Mondays@5 an Instagram Live program which serves as an interactive clinic for small businesses featuring guests and Q+A. The program is an outgrowth of Soldati’s SmallBizGuide which he created as the crisis hit. https://mightysmall.io/
As for Teatotaller’s second location, plans are still underway in downtown Concord, New Hampshire. “We had just started construction when the orders came down. We are continuing to renovate the space and will have a better sense of an opening date in the coming months.”
