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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Tai Chi Bubble Tea Grand Opening in New Rochelle - March 23, 2026

Meeting Portal — Monday, March 23, 2026

BodyNew Rochelle, New York

SessionMeeting Portal

DateMonday, March 23, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 8:15

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

Good afternoon.

0:05

I'm Catherine White, Executive Director of the Neurochelle Chamber of Commerce, and we're here today for the grand opening of Tai Chi Bubble Tea.

0:14

It's a beautiful spring day, the first day of spring, and we are thrilled to see this Waikagill area just blooming with new businesses.

0:21

And we're thrilled to welcome Tai Chi here to Neurochell today.

0:24

With us, we have some amazing guests, starting with, of course, our mayor, Yidir Ramos Herbert.

0:31

Woo!

0:32

Congressman George Latimer.

0:35

Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development, Jorhaventora.

0:39

Woo!

0:40

Of course, Councilmember Shane O'Shane Loy Loyer.

0:44

It's not an event without Shane.

0:47

Director of Communications, John Jones.

0:51

From the Neurochelle Chamber of Commerce, we have with us Carol Barella.

0:55

And Glenny Orojas.

0:58

And of course, the stars of the show.

1:01

Today we have the business owners, Amy and Aaron.

1:04

And then from corporate Thai Chi Bubble Tea, we have Ken.

1:08

Alright, so first I'd like to welcome up the mayor.

1:11

Thank you very much.

1:14

So it's so exciting to be here.

1:22

Not every week.

1:23

Every week, okay.

1:25

Um I don't like to cook, but I love really good food and I love the poke bowl.

1:29

And when you bring a 15-year-old, my daughter, who says, Mom, this is our spot because she's also enjoyed it.

1:34

Um, this has been really exciting.

1:36

But what I love about this story, again, I've been here quite a bit.

1:39

Um, this is their second business.

1:40

They're first in the Bronx, they're second in Neurochelle, so thank you for choosing New Rochelle, and your daughter winter Ursuline.

1:47

So you have Nero ties, and now you've invested with us with this business, and I really think it's a wonderful compliment and addition to the corridor.

1:55

So again, I just want to keep repeating.

1:57

Thank you for choosing New Rochelle.

1:58

Thank you for opening this fun, beautiful, super delicious and tasty establishment.

2:03

And whatever we can do to make sure that you stay open, you let us know because you're important to our community.

2:08

So thank you again.

2:09

Thank you.

2:12

Thank you, Mayor.

2:13

And now we'll hear from Congressman George Latimer.

2:16

Thanks, Catherine.

2:17

Uh Amy, Aaron, congratulations.

2:19

Uh, this is one more example of the dynamism of businesses here in Neurochell.

2:24

And certainly restaurants are always in demand.

2:27

Uh, the people that live in the immediate area now have another great opportunity, a different cuisine and a different choice.

2:33

And I want to point out that this area of Neurochell is very convenient to other communities.

2:37

If you live in East Chester or Tuckahoe, if you live in Mamarinick, even Larchmont, the road system of Quaker Ridge Road, Weaver Street, coming up Mill Road, gives an opportunity for people in other communities to come into Neurochelle, spend some money in Neurochelle, help Neurochell's economics grow.

2:54

Uh, and and I think that's a a great uh decision you made to have a strategic location like this in Neurochelle that serves both the city, people of the city and the people in neighboring communities.

3:04

So we wish you much success, and I'll be back myself to enjoy water.

3:08

Thank you.

3:09

Thank you.

3:11

Thank you so much, Congressman.

3:13

We're so proud to have you here with us today.

3:15

Now I'd like to call up Aaron to say a few words from the business.

3:23

Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for taking time out of your precious Friday to be here with us today.

3:29

For a moment, take a look around.

3:31

Look at the people gathered here.

3:33

Neighbors, families, city leaders, and community partners.

3:38

A business may begin with a sign, a storefront, and a menu, but a place only truly comes to life when a community walks in, returns, and makes it their own.

3:49

We see that already in a small thank you know corner.

3:52

We have in a store where our customers have left it and filled with filled it with drawings, hearts, and kind words that has already made the place a little bit theirs.

4:03

And this is what makes this so meaningful to us.

4:06

Our journey with Tai Chi Bubble Tea began um with our first New York City location in the Bronx, where we learned how powerful a neighborhood business can become when a community embraces it.

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Summary of Proceedings

Tai Chi Bubble Tea Grand Opening in New Rochelle - March 23, 2026

On March 23, 2026, the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce hosted a grand opening ceremony for Tai Chi Bubble Tea, a new bubble tea and Asian-inspired food establishment located in the Waikagill area. The event featured remarks from local officials, business owners, and community leaders, all celebrating the addition of the business to the city's growing corridor.

Opening Remarks

Catherine White, Executive Director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, welcomed attendees and introduced the speakers, highlighting the spring season and the area's blooming business scene.

Mayor's Remarks

Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert expressed excitement about the new business, noting that the owners, Amy and Aaron, previously operated a location in the Bronx and have ties to New Rochelle through their daughter attending Ursuline School. She emphasized the city's support for the business and its importance to the community.

Congressman's Remarks

Congressman George Latimer congratulated the owners, pointing out the strategic location's accessibility to neighboring communities such as East Chester, Tuckahoe, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont, which he said helps grow New Rochelle's economy. He expressed his intention to return as a customer.

Business Owner's Remarks

Aaron, co-owner of Tai Chi Bubble Tea, thanked the community for its warm welcome. He described how customers have already made the store their own by leaving drawings and kind words. He noted that the journey began with a Bronx location and that the community's embrace inspired them to grow. He expressed hope that the store would become a place for friends, families, and neighbors to gather.

Corporate Representative's Remarks

Ken, representing the corporate side of Tai Chi Bubble Tea, described the brand as a New York State-born brand focused on bringing people together through drinks and food. He highlighted the menu, which includes handcrafted bubble tea, poke bowls, Japanese ramen, and Asian-inspired street food. He thanked the local team and the community for their support.

Chamber Presentation

Carol Barella, from the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, offered a brief welcome and wished the business success, calling it a great addition to her hometown.

Key Outcomes

The grand opening of Tai Chi Bubble Tea was celebrated with speeches and a ribbon-cutting (indicated by "Cheers" and "Two one! Woo!"). All speakers expressed strong support for the business and its positive impact on the community. No formal votes or decisions were made; the event was a ceremonial celebration.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'm Catherine White, Executive Director of the Neurochelle Chamber of Commerce, and we're here today for the grand opening of Tai Chi Bubble Tea. It's a beautiful spring day, the first day of spring, and we are thrilled to see this Waikagill area just blooming with new businesses. And we're thrilled to welcome Tai Chi here to Neurochell today. With us, we have some amazing guests, starting with, of course, our mayor, Yidir Ramos Herbert. Woo! Congressman George Latimer. Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development, Jorhaventora. Woo! Of course, Councilmember Shane O'Shane Loy Loyer. It's not an event without Shane. Director of Communications, John Jones. From the Neurochelle Chamber of Commerce, we have with us Carol Barella. And Glenny Orojas. And of course, the stars of the show. Today we have the business owners, Amy and Aaron. And then from corporate Thai Chi Bubble Tea, we have Ken. Alright, so first I'd like to welcome up the mayor. Thank you very much. So it's so exciting to be here. Not every week. Every week, okay. Um I don't like to cook, but I love really good food and I love the poke bowl. And when you bring a 15-year-old, my daughter, who says, Mom, this is our spot because she's also enjoyed it. Um, this has been really exciting. But what I love about this story, again, I've been here quite a bit. Um, this is their second business. They're first in the Bronx, they're second in Neurochelle, so thank you for choosing New Rochelle, and your daughter winter Ursuline. So you have Nero ties, and now you've invested with us with this business, and I really think it's a wonderful compliment and addition to the corridor. So again, I just want to keep repeating. Thank you for choosing New Rochelle. Thank you for opening this fun, beautiful, super delicious and tasty establishment. And whatever we can do to make sure that you stay open, you let us know because you're important to our community. So thank you again. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. And now we'll hear from Congressman George Latimer. Thanks, Catherine. Uh Amy, Aaron, congratulations. Uh, this is one more example of the dynamism of businesses here in Neurochell. And certainly restaurants are always in demand. Uh, the people that live in the immediate area now have another great opportunity, a different cuisine and a different choice. And I want to point out that this area of Neurochell is very convenient to other communities. If you live in East Chester or Tuckahoe, if you live in Mamarinick, even Larchmont, the road system of Quaker Ridge Road, Weaver Street, coming up Mill Road, gives an opportunity for people in other communities to come into Neurochelle, spend some money in Neurochelle, help Neurochell's economics grow. Uh, and and I think that's a a great uh decision you made to have a strategic location like this in Neurochelle that serves both the city, people of the city and the people in neighboring communities. So we wish you much success, and I'll be back myself to enjoy water. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Congressman. We're so proud to have you here with us today.

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