ORLANDO, Fla. – For nearly two decades Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria has been a staple in the Milk District community, but now the business is shuttering for good.
The owner, Pom Moongauklang, made the announcement on social media Monday morning.
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“No Rollercoaster in the world has as much ups, downs, excitement, and pivots as having a small business. It is with the greatest GRATITUDE that, unfortunately, I willl no longer continue my BELOVED POM POMS CONCEPT,” the post read.
According to the post, the last day of business for Pom Pom’s, 67 N. Bumby Ave., will be on Friday, Oct. 4.
Like many others, Monica Vazquez came to Pom Pom’s on Monday after seeing the restaurant’s post on social media.
“To see one staple after the other closing, this isn’t just like some shop that opened up that’s struggling,” said Monica Vazquez, Pom Pom’s customer. “Pom Pom’s has been here since 2005 like they are Orlando.”
Evan Bolivar said he’s not surprised to see another small business closing up shop.
“I love to come to these smaller restaurants rather than bigger chains because I find them more enjoyable, and so it’s kind of saddening but it’s a trend that I’ve just kind of gotten used to,” Bolivar said.
Bolivar lives in Poinciana and even though he hasn’t been able to visit Pom Pom’s very often, he said he’ll still miss it.
“When the opportunity is gone, it’s like, ‘Well, where do I go now,’” Bolivar said.
General manager of Pom Pom’s, Jay Beckett, said there a couple of reasons why the restaurant is closing, including a shift in consumer behavior.
“There’s just a shift in the pattern of how people are doing things now,” Beckett said. “It seems to go out for a sandwich is probably like an event, you know, like a date or something because people just don’t generally do it day to day.”
Beckett also said Moongauklang has a desire to do something different.
“It was just time for her to have a little bit of a change,” Beckett said. “She’s got some brand new ideas and exciting things she wants to bring to the public, she loves everybody here in Orlando, she just wants to be creative.”
The restaurant has seen its share of struggles in recent years. In May 2023, Moongauklang took to social media to call for community support. At the time, she said that recovery from the pandemic had been difficult for her business.
Moongauklang said she will not be leaving the Orlando dining scene and plans to open a new concept soon, but did not elaborate as to when and where that will be.
She ended the post by expressing gratitude for her customers.
“It is with LOVE I say thank you for giving me the opportunity to have served, well over ONE MILLION sandwiches,” the post read.
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