MILLERTON — Muanjai Tea opened for business on Main Street for the first time last Saturday, Sept. 5.
Owners John Schildbach and Kanchisar Jaradhanaiphat plan to operate the Thai-inspired tea shop at 32 Main St. Thursday to Monday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The current menu offers classic Thai coffee and tea drinks that the owners say recreate Bangkok tea shop staples.
“People have been excited,” Schildbach said. “We made over 100 matchas today.”
Business was steady on the shop’s first day. Sunny skies and the Millerton Fine Art Festival brought large crowds to Main Street over the weekend.
Schildbach said a steady stream of customers came through the shop’s doors on Saturday and Sunday.
“People seem to love the space,” Schildbach said. “They are stoked on the transformation.”
Shildbach and his wife and business partner, Jaradhanaiphat, obtained the Main Street space in March 2026 after a previous business, Candy-O’s, vacated the storefront. They’ve spent the past nearly six months working with Dutchess County Board of Health officials to receive approval for their plans.
Schildbach originally hoped the shop would be open in mid-summer to take advantage of the height of the season, but regulatory delays due to the building’s existing septic capacity pushed back its opening date. Despite the holdup at the Main Street location, Schildbach and Jaradhanaiphat broke out their drink machines for pop-up service during Millerton’s 175th celebration in July.
The couple performed extensive interior renovations in the shop, installing counters and a service window that’s inspired by streetside tea shop windows that line Bangkok’s streets. Part of the renovations included installing shelves and a refrigerator to sell goods like Thai noodles and sauces, clothing and canned drinks.
“We aren’t fully finished,” Schildbach said. “We still have some artwork to put up on the walls and other things to do, but it looks finished enough where we can open the doors.”
In addition to the teas, Schildbach and Jaradhanaiphatt are planning to offer pastries and other Thai-inspired treats to accompany the drinks. The shop currently offers a limited selection of small bites, with plans to expand offerings in the future.
Schildbach said they plan to expand drink offerings and contribute to evening life in the village by offering mocktails and hosting ticketed tasting dinners at the location. He said he wants the tea shop to be a hub to introduce community members to Thai culture and cuisine.
“I just encourage people to keep checking back in,” Schildbach said. “The menu will not always be the same.”
