When Avery Yang and Jon Shi opened the doors of Zestea in September of 2014, it was the culmination of over a decade of experience in the F&B industry in Vancouver. They now ply their trade in North Vancouver, selling juices, bubble tea, coffee and desserts from their mid-Lonsdale shop.
“Whatever we've learned or experienced in the past, we're putting it together in this shop. We believe in focusing on the details on a daily basis,” says Avery, who is quite pleased with how the business has unfolded so far. Zestea is something of a dream come true for the pair. Avery explains that after he finished high school when he was 18, he started working right away in different food and beverage businesses. “Then, when I got my residency here in Canada, we started this business. I think the reason we make a good team is that we both have a lot of experience in the industry,” says Avery. “Doing this thing together over the long-term is our Canadian dream,” he adds.
When Avery and Jon acquired the lease early in 2014, they set about renovating the premises completely to create a space to fit their vision. The interior now is bright, colourful and vibrant – complementing their range of products.