May 14, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Venice Matcha Chain Under Fire for Slew of Allegations

Conrad Sandelman and Matthew Morton, Cha Cha Matcha co-owners, did not pay employees, posted offensive content on Instagram allegations say

By Sam Catanzaro

A prominent matcha chain with a location on Abbot Kinney Boulevard is under fire for a slew of allegations ranging from not paying employees in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak to resurfaced Instagram posts of the co-owners being labeled as offensive and culturally appropriative.

As reported by Eater, Cha Cha Matcha co-owners Conrad Sandelman and Matthew Morton did not pay employees for their final two weeks of work when the COVID-19 pandemic began, appeared in resurfaced Instagram being labeled as offensive and culturally appropriative and screened the appearance of employees during job interviews. 

The backlash began in early June when the company posted a series of photos on Instagram addressing the civic unrest amid protests against police violence. Soon after, former and current employees of the company began coming forward saying the work environment cultivated by Sandelman and Morton went against the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Found in 2016 in Soho, New York, Cha Cha Matcha currently has six locations in New York and Los Angeles, including on the corner of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and California Avenue in Venice. The Venice location is currently closed but doing deliveries. 

In March the chain closed all stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic and employees say they were not paid for their final two weeks of work when they were let go. 

Prior to this, employees were already upset about Cha Cha Matcha’s loyalty program for celebrities and influencers in which notable patrons drinks for themselves and their guests, with tabs ranging up to $150 while tipping very little if at all and skipping lines. One employee told Eater that around $200,000 was given away to celebrities at the West Hollywood store last year, around 20 percent of the store’s annual sales. 

In addition, the Eater LA article exposed a slew of posts featuring Sandelman and Morton that appeared in dating back to 2012. These range from Morton dressed up as a Geisha to the duo appearing in a photo wearing white robes and keffiyehs. 

Yo! Venice has reached out to Cha Cha Matcha for comment but they could not immediately be reached. 

Visit https://ny.eater.com/2020/7/9/21308552/cha-cha-matcha-owners-under-fire to read the full Eater report. 

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Pacific Resident Theatre Debuts “Fostered”: A Comedy About Authenticity and Life Choices

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Firefighters and Wildfire Victims Have Free Admission to a Special May 16 Performance. For More Info, Go To Pacificresidenttheatre.org Firefighters...

Registration Now Open for Summer at New Roads

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

New Roads School is accepting registration for its summer program, a vibrant selection of classes and camps curated to meet...

A Dozen Venice Beach Teachers Honored at 15th Annual WAVE Awards

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

The ceremony highlighted teachers exemplifying this year’s theme, “Cultivating Character,” and awarded the Joelle Award to District Director for LAUSD...

Details Unveiled for Venice Summer Fest 2025

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Organizers described the fest as “more than an event — it’s a community celebration that reflects the creativity, heart, and...

Venice Student Exhibition Honors Incarcerated Japanese Americans Through Photography

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The exhibition is the result of a yearlong project that involved research, interviews, and site visits A new student-led exhibition...

City to Issue Solicitations for Affordable Housing Development at Bergamot Station Arts Center

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Proposals for the Bergamot Station Arts Center must prioritize maximizing affordable housing units while also considering potential artist housing and...

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Palisades Charter High School Wildfire Recovery

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The “Raise Pali Golf Tournament” includes a nine-hole game, prize putting contests, and a community reception A community-led golf tournament...

Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica. ...

Registration Opens for Second Annual Venice Beach Run

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Race organizers promise a festive finish line atmosphere, complete with live DJs, a beer garden, a vendor expo, and giveaways...

Collision at Abbot Kinney & Venice Leads to Injuries, Slows Traffic: REPORT

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The Los Angeles Police Department temporarily closed parts of the intersection  A traffic collision with reported injuries disrupted a major...

Annual Film Awards Show Leaving Santa Monica for Hollywood

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The move marks a major shift for the iconic awards show, long known for its laid-back, seaside atmosphere that distinguished...

Historic Lloyd Wright-Designed Palisades Home Hits Market at $12.9M

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the estate for an Academy-winning composer A historic estate designed by architect...

Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the...

Venice Shorts: VNC Rules & Elections to Present Election Survey Findings

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

The presentation described the voting experience and the overall ease of the election process for residents that participated By Nick...

Santa Monica Pier to Host Final Locals’ Night of the Season on May 15

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Highlights include a classic car show, free salsa lessons, and performances by punk bands Cycotic Youth and No Reaction The...