Billy Corgan Says "So Oolong" To His Tea Shop For Now

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By  Gwen Ihnat

William Corgan, formerly known as Billy, is quite the renaissance man. Not only has he headed up the multi-platinum band Smashing Pumpkins for decades now, he also opened a tea shop in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park about six years ago. The shop, Madame Zuzu's, was known for its eclectic decor and organic teas, which, the annoyingly all-caps website states, only come from "REAL FARMS WITH HOLISTIC PRACTICES." The health-conscious menu featured cashew butter and arugula sandwiches and maca root smoothies; salon-like events like music and comedy nights were free with the purchase of some of that organic tea.

But the Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago, and other outlets note today that Corgan has announced the closing of Madame Zuzu's 1.0, via Instagram:

About that online store: Sorry, the Madame Zuzu's trucker hat has sold out, but Corgan's Siddartha box set is still available for a mere $375. Hopefully stock will replenish when Corgan opens Madame Zuzu's 2.0, whenever and wherever that may be. In the meantime, Smashing Pumpkins are touring this summer, with original players guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, minus founding member/bassist D'Arcy Wretzky. Corgan also apparently plans to revive the National Wrestling Alliance, which he purchased last year.

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