Did % Arabica PH Just Ghost Everyone?

(SPOT.ph) It was a sad day for the many loyals of % Arabica yesterday, January 30. The Japanese coffee shop seemingly disappeared without warning, as posts circulated on social media on the sudden closure of their Philippine shops and disappearance of their local social media pages. Coffeeheads were left without any (official) answers—but here's some form of closure, at least for now. The Facebook page of Japanese coffee chain % Arabica published a post citing the end of the local outpost's franchise period.

Also read: UPDATED: Are % Arabica's BGC Branches Gone?

Here's what % Arabica has to say on the closure of the Philippine outlets.

In a Facebook post published today, January 31, % Arabica's global Facebook page explains that the franchise period with their current Philippine partner ended yesterday, January 30—and they've "agreed not to continue the collaboration" from there. "We appreciate very much their enormous efforts in running the business in the difficult [COVID-19] time."

But there's hope, as they also mention having chosen a "new partner" already—with plans of "[making] a fresh start this [2022] to expand throughout the country." "Please wait for a couple of months for the new opening announcement," Arabica writes. "We cannot wait to serve you our simple delicious coffee to you once again."

On February 1, former % Arabica franchiser Allue Hortaleza of See the World through Coffee Corporation also posted a statement on her personal Instagram account. "Though our partnership with % Arabica has come to a close, our efforts to deliver warm, inviting, and high-quality coffeeshops continue," it reads. She also hints at something upcoming, telling followers to "stay tuned while we finish brewing something good." 

% Arabica is a coffee shop hailing from Kyoto, which opened their first Philippine branch at the W City Center in 2018.

UPDATE (February 1, 2021, 8:23 p.m.): Former % Arabica Philippines franchiser Allue Hortaleza posted a statement on the matter on Instagram. The article has been updated to reflect that development.

For more information, check out % Arabica's global Facebook page.

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