Cha Fine Teas of Truckee, beloved community hub and go-to boba stop for Truckee High students, will close its doors permanently on Oct. 31st, 2024. 

The business was opened on Oct. 1st, 2015 by mother-daughter duo Cindy Shippy and Tina Peek. The main reason for the end of Cha’s 10 years of service is Shippy’s retirement. She has a heavy heart about this chapter coming to a close, but is looking forward to spending more time with family and skiing in the winter. The mother-daughter business partners were hoping for someone to buy Cha and keep it going but it did not end up working out, so the space will be up for lease for other businesses. 

According to their website, tea means “communication, connection, and the feeling of being loved”. Any customer at the tea shop could confirm that this message rings true in their service. 

Shippy says that the best part of owning Cha has been being a “part of the daily routines of our guests”. Shippy claims that the most rewarding part of her job has been the people. “Tea people are the kindest, most patient, wonderful people,” she says. 

Conveniently located just down the road from Truckee High, Cha has been an important part of student culture. People are often seen with cups of boba in hand returning from lunch and many local teenagers are also employed at the shop. Shippy has loved working with and serving the young people of Truckee. She claims there is “never any disrespect” from teens and she almost never deals with grumpy customers.

The idea to open Cha came to them when the two were in a tea shop in Reno. Cindy and Tina got their first tea recipes from Cindy’s niece, Aubri Armitage, who ran two tea shops in Washington state. Since then, they have bought Armitage out and have been making their own unique blends like the “Truckee Green” tea.

Shippy hopes other people are inspired to open another boba and/or tea establishment in Truckee in the future. There is no shortage of places to get coffee in town but, without Cha there is not much of a tea-centered community. Shippy says that they would be happy to share their recipes. Some customers may not know that the base for Cha’s boba drinks is their organic house blend, making it a slightly healthier alternative to other bobas. 

When asked about the more challenging aspects of owning and operating a small business, Shippy responds with, “when you open a business, it’s important to be there”. Although she has help from other employees, Shippy is doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work herself. Cha has an online component as well so she is always working on getting those put together to ship out to customers in a timely manner.

The minimums to purchase products from big businesses to sell in the shop have gone up in recent years, so it has become more costly to buy things like mugs and tea accessories. Shippy also says that they have simply outgrown the space. They have considered moving or expanding the shop but that did not work out. Even keeping the online business going would be tough because a license is needed to blend their teas in a rental space and kitchen-sharing would be expensive.

Currently Cha has a discount on buying loose leaf tea by the pound, making it cheaper than it would be paying by the ounce (for 16 ounces). This is a way that the owners and employees are giving back to their customers. Loose leaf tea keeps for two years, so Shippy thinks that one pound will last people through the winter. 

The juxtaposition of traditional tea drinkers and boba lovers are combined into one culture at Cha. Around this time of year when it’s colder, there are more people buying tea but in the summer, boba sales are dominant. 

Cha’s best selling loose leaf tea is “Montana Skies” which is a slightly spicy, warm blend; perfect for a cold day. Lavender-rose is the most popular flavor on the boba side of things. 

Part of the owners’ mission in serving the community was to provide a place where people can feel comfortable, welcome, and loved. One can tell by spending just a few minutes in the shop that the mission is being fulfilled everyday. The best part of owning Cha has been being a “part of the daily routines of our guests”, says Shippy. 

Cha Fine Teas of Truckee has brought the community together through tea and boba but also kindness and positivity. When she trains employees, Shippy stresses the importance of greeting and saying goodbye to every customer. This practice has caught on with customers too. 

As customers say their final goodbyes to this local gem, Cindy and Tina wish everyone “continued connections over many cups of tea” in their closing letter on the website.

Cha will be open for their regular 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours on closing day, October 31st. Show your appreciation for the tea shop by picking up a pound of your favorite blend, buying some local art, or enjoying a boba tea while taking in the lovely atmosphere and connecting with kind people as a final farewell.