Chinatown's grand opening: Lively celebration for promising new venture

The One of a Kind Teahouse held its grand opening December 28, and like its namesake, the celebration was unique. Complete with dancing dragons, a generous complementary lunch buffet, the mayor and other city dignitaries, and flashing paparazzi, the celebration brought together the best of old and new traditions for what promises to be an exciting new business venture on Central Avenue.

The teahouse is a "focal point" for the business, a place where everyone can gather together for food and drink in the ancient tradition, says Jenny Liu-Nhan, Chinatown's co-owner.

Started two years ago by Matthew Nhan and his wife, Jenny Liu-Nhan, the Chinatown complex is a unique retail project. When it is completed, the building will house several Asian-inspired stores, an eatery and teahouse, as well as an upscale Chinese restaurant, providing a wealth of shopping and dining experiences for Central Avenue. The project is located on the same block as several other Asian restaurants including Van's Vietnamese and CCK, making this part of Central even more of a destination for visitors.

Mayor Jerry Jennings attended the ribbon-cutting and celebration and praised the Nhans for their creative vision. "Small investments like this make a big difference," Jennings says. It's independent business owners like the Nhans who are going to turn Central Avenue around, he added.

Originally, the Nhans hoped to open the entire complex at once, but an uncooperative economy and complicated building codes changed their plans, and so they have decided to open the businesses in stages, says Jenny Liu-Nhan, Chinatown's co-owner. "The economy hasn't gone well, and that put a little damper on it, but we're back on track now," she says.

The teahouse will open January 15, followed by the stores in the spring. The restaurant is expected to open next year.

The Nhans have spent over a year remodeling the former furniture store, and the results--inside and out--are beautiful. The building is divided into several small spaces with a long hallway running down the center. The hallway is decorated with cherry paneling, and boasts a pagoda-like facade that gives you the feeling that you are walking through a Chinese marketplace, not a storefront in Albany. The rear of the building has been reserved for a large Chinese restaurant, and construction on this part is still under way.

"You create a sense of place with this type of architecture that people want to come to and hang out in," says Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central Business Improvement District. "This is another destination on Central Avenue."

The tea house is also beautiful. A bamboo screen divides the dining room from a small sitting area which has been decorated with ornate cherry furniture. The ancient-looking tables and chairs are all custom made, and promote a sense of timeless tradition, says Liu-Nhan.