Business Spotlight: Sun's Organic Garden
Natalie Hsieh, Sun’s Organic Garden
Sun's Organic Garden
79 Bayard St
(212) 566-3260
To order: www.bit.ly/3478LPD
Established in 2010, Sun's Organic Garden offers hundreds of specialty organic and wildcrafted teas, herbs, and wellness products. While searching for natural health solutions to implement into her lifestyle, serendipity brought Natalie Hsieh to its doorstep. When the founder announced her retirement, Natalie decided to leave her career in the financial industry and bought the store. Her mission is to offer a curated collection of premium quality loose leaf teas and herbs from around the world, and to educate the community on their wellness benefits. She aims to differentiate Sun's Organic Garden through science-based research and friendly, personalized customer service.
What’s the history of Sun’s Organic Garden?
The company was started by a first-generation Chinese entrepreneur who wanted to share her love of tea, as well as her family’s generational herbal health recipes in the heart of NYC’s Chinatown. I was on my own health journey when I first met the company’s founder, and benefited greatly from the teas, herbs, and caring advice. By infusing my love of tea and all things health, I am able to share my knowledge and passion with the community.
What do customers love about Sun’s?
Community! Customers love the large product selection, the quality and freshness of the tea, and our personalized recommendations. They tell us that our store is a haven from the anonymity of NYC and often tell customers who are waiting in line about products that worked for them.
“The buzz, hustle, and uniqueness of Chinatown draw in lots of diverse people. It is really fun to meet all kinds of travelers who have sampled different teas in China and India and visited our store to recreate their experiences.”
What are popular teas at your store?
Customers also love our organic jasmine tea selection and organic ice cream truck.
Blended and scented teas: Organic Milky Oolong, Lychee Rose Black, and Organic Lady Grey are fan favorites.
Green tea standouts: Wild Red, Golden Snail Teas, High Mountain Oolong, Phoenix Dancongs, and raw pu-erh (fermented tea).
For wellness: organic Gynostemma, Brain Tea, Diabetes Tea, Libido Lifter, and Relax Teas.
“Foot traffic has reduced greatly. As a result, we had to…streamline our vast product offering, which was a huge attraction.
What challenges are you facing right now?
Prior to the pandemic, 25% of the business were tourists and 25% were locals. Many clients have moved out of the city or lost their jobs, so foot traffic has reduced greatly. As a result, we had to reduce store hours and streamline our vast product offering, which was a huge attraction.
How will the Longevity Fund help your organization?
It will help us weather the storm by enabling us to keep our doors open and the lights on.
What do you love most about Chinatown?
The buzz, hustle, and uniqueness of Chinatown draw in lots of diverse people interested in Asian culture and products. It is really fun to meet all kinds of travelers who have sampled different teas in China and India and visited our store to recreate their experiences.
How can people support Sun’s Organic Garden or stay in touch with your business?
Please visit us at 79 Bayard St.
Shop our catalog — we ship across the country: www.bit.ly/3478LPD.
Support us on Instagram and Facebook @sunsorganicgarden.
Customers who enjoy our tea or experience can give us a review on Google or Yelp.
Tell your friends about us and consider giving tea as a gift for your next celebration or just because. We really appreciate it!
Chinatown establishments like Sun’s Organic Garden are what makes the spirit of our neighborhood. We need your support now more than ever to keep that spirit alive. Together, we can preserve Chinatown businesses and ensure Chinatown will always be open for business. To support Chinatown organizations like Sun’s Organic Garden, donate to the Longevity Fund here:
