The Downtowners – Sophie Dewaal
December 26th, 2025
Meet Sophie DeWaal, owner of Arya Tea Bar, a new tea-based café opening this month. Before moving to South Florida, DeWaal spent a decade on Wall Street as an investment banker with Bank of America, including five years specializing in the restaurant sector. Her work helped support major transactions, including Roark Capital’s $11 billion acquisition of Dunkin’ Brands, and earned her a spot on Forbes “30 Under 30” list for finance in 2022. Nevertheless, in 2024 DeWaal made a bold pivot, leaving Bank of America to pursue her dream of opening a new tea-based café. Arya Tea Bar now joins Downtown West Palm Beach’s growing collection of unique and welcoming neighborhood establishments.
How and why did you end up in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I was familiar with Downtown West Palm Beach from having spent time here during several winters when I was competing in equestrian show jumping. And then after COVID, I just fell in love with the entire area and the way it intersects city life with beach life and with country life. I’m not surprised that, when it comes to investment, Downtown West Palm Beach is now being called the Wall Street of the South.
What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I’m a runner so I love going for runs around Downtown West Palm Beach — including with Celis Run Cub. I love all the health and wellness pop-ups that the city supports — like the DDA’s Sunset Sweat. And my absolute favorite spot to spend time on the weekends is at the West Palm Beach GreenMarket. I get my groceries there every weekend during season and love bumping into friends who are doing the same thing.
What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I love the strength of the community in Downtown West Palm Beach. I mean, it’s such a perfectly sized city. And not only is the entrepreneurial spirit here alive and well, but we also have so many resources to support businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.
How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here?
I’ve seen Downtown West Palm Beach continue to attract some of the most motivated and fitness-oriented young people in the country. I think this is an incredible moment — one that will propel the Downtown District for decades to come. That’s why I couldn’t imagine starting Arya Tea Bar anywhere else. It had to be in Downtown West Palm Beach. If you’re thinking of moving here, I say do it immediately because you’ll love it!