Matcha Thomas Temporarily Closed Due To Tariff Delays
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Matcha Thomas, the little tea shop on Main Street with the big following of devoted drinkers and aligned mindset, announced they are temporarily closing, citing the new tariffs imposed by a presidential administration who branded themselves as good business people, but is further choking many businesses instead. The tariffs have caused a customs backlog, Matcha Thomas said, resulting in an estimated two week delay.
“I’m really nervous right now,” confessed Matcha Thomas co-founder and sister of the business who refers to themselves as family-owned, sister-led. “As of right now, our small business is temporarily closing because of a 2 week delay of our matcha restock shipment.” The matcha & hojicha powders served at Matcha Thomas “are mindfully-sourced and crafted by tea farmers in Uji, Kyoto, Japan,” they explain.
“Our matcha restock shipment from Japan has been significantly delayed due to the new customers regulations and tariffs, making it impossible for us to restock as quickly as we need. We are completely out of our previous stock, which, paradoxically, has run out so quickly because of your incredible support...Without inventory, we can't operate, but our bills and expenses remain."
“There are millions of small businesses across the US who have been drowning slowly and silently under the weight of continuous inflation, limited funding, and now these tariffs and delays that will further suffocate our margins.”
The matcha drinks make up 90% of their sales, they say. “To close for 2 weeks is terrifying…As one of the first Gen Z Black-owned matcha shops in the US, you must know that we are not funded by big money, or generational wealth.”
In true Matcha Thomas form, they made their announcement, but also spoke for others. “We know that this situation isn’t unique to our background. There are millions of small businesses across the US who have been drowning slowly and silently under the weight of continuous inflation, limited funding, and now these tariffs and delays that will further suffocate our margins.”
She continued, opening their business world a bit more to their customers: “We are all tired of walking on thin ice, taking out loans and being in debt to keep our businesses running. Mega corporations can afford to raise prices, stockpile inventory, and pressure governments by lobbying to protect their financial interested. But us smaller businesses absolutely do not have that luxury.”
She made an observation that other businesses may agree with, especially those based in New York who operate under additional weight from New York State regulations. “It’s almost as if our government doesn’t want us to have integrity. Doesn’t want to incentive integrity.”
“We are all tired of walking on thin ice, taking out loans and being in debt to keep our businesses running. Mega corporations can afford to raise prices, stockpile inventory, and pressure governments by lobbying to protect their financial interested. But us smaller businesses absolutely do not have that luxury.”
“Policies like these disrupt our ability to operate. Truly creates dire situations that so many of our small businesses will not be able to recover from. And this is so much bigger than us. This disproportionately impacts communities that rely on international trade for their livelihood. The small farmers maintaining traditional growing practices. And the consumers that want authentic products and experiences.”
“These are discriminatory trade policies that don’t just reinforce economic inequality, but they deeply fracture our global interconnectedness. These trade policies favor Western corporate dominance. When small business struggle to access international goods, consumers will have fewer choices, cultural exchanges will be weakened, and these corporations will gain even more control over what we buy.”
“This is really scary to say out loud, but Matcha Thomas has been struggling. Even before this delay, a crisis has been impending. Despite being constantly busy and seeing our customer base grow.”
She said that she and her sister dedicated their 20s building the business, and they have yet to take a paycheck, with their profit margins being slim to none. “We choose to use real fruit and pure extracts for flavoring, and plant-based ingredients, and artistan ceremonial-grade matcha that we have been known for. But the rising cost of every shingle ingredient that we use have made things really difficult.”
“These are discriminatory trade policies that don’t just reinforce economic inequality, but they deeply fracture our global interconnectedness.”
She reflected on how they strive to create something that reflects their values. “I want to be brave enough to be honest about our commitment to upholding humanity in everything that we do. This new generation of business must be rooted in different standards and different values. Our ideas of success have to include vulnerability, compassion, equity, and radical community care.”
Matcha Thomas is one of the first in Beacon to experience a closure or major financial setback from the tariffs, but they are not alone. Businesses on Main Street have for years struggled with the rising cost of goods, with additional regulatory burdens placed on them by New York State.
Matcha Thomas is trying to keep their staff paid, pay urgent bills and rent, and order a larger restock of the matcha and other ingredients to keep them going after the reopening. They started a GoFundMe, which you can find here.
