Alexander Marin, a former high school mathematics teacher from Los Angles, has brought together a team of knowledgeable individuals to fulfill his dream of putting a true teahouse oasis in the heart of Hillcrest. The result is Exotic Bamboo Imports & Teas, a two-week-old café specializing in fine teas from around the world. Warm earth tones, natural stone and wood greet visitors, and the spacious interior features a tranquil indoor koi pond with an outdoor bamboo garden that provides a peaceful escape from the fast-paced center of Hillcrest.

Tea drinkers can enjoy more than 150 different varieties of tea, and Exotic Bamboo also carries fine Asian antiques, incense, soaps, candles and tea sets.

Exotic Bamboo Imports & Teas was developed through a love of bamboo, teas and Asian philosophy. When Marin and his crew first moved into 1475 University Ave. in Hillcrest they converted an old parking lot into a bamboo garden. Soon after that the storefront was available, and they took the opportunity to incorporate bamboo and teas into one unique store. Exotic Bamboo Imports & Teas also offers meditation classes, poetry readings, open microphone and other community events in their serene store and meditation garden.

The staff at Exotic Bamboo Imports & Teas absolutely loves Hillcrest and wanted their shop to become a hot spot for everyone to enjoy. The love of Asian philosophy with the teaching of spirituality, discipline and tranquility is what Alex wanted to convey with his teahouse, and they plan to host community events and meetings to grow as our community grows. The aim at Exotic Bamboo Imports & Teas is to welcome guests and give them a “five star experience”. Simply put, they treat their store like a five star resort for tea and expect that their discriminating guests will demand the choicest teas, served by knowledgeable staff who make it their goal to leave patrons ecstatically pleased every single time.