Car Crashes Into Billy Corgan’s Tea Shop Again
Crash and Brew: Billy Corgan’s Tea Shop Struck Again
Highland Park, IL — In a bizarre twist of fate, Billy Corgan’s passion project, Madame Zuzu’s tea shop, has been the target of yet another vehicle collision, marking the second time in just six months that the cafe has faced down the wrath of a reckless driver. On April 29, a car crashed into the front of Corgan’s Highland Park establishment, but thankfully, this time around, no injuries were reported.
The incident, described by Corgan’s wife, Chloe Mendel Corgan, as “an honest accident,” resulted in only minor exterior damage—quite the contrast to the earlier incident last October when a red Mini Cooper crashed through the shop, injuring Corgan’s mother-in-law and narrowly missing his son. That event shattered windows and caused significant destruction.
Madame Zuzu’s, which specializes in a largely vegan menu alongside its tea offerings, has become a beloved local haunt since Corgan reopened it in September 2020, after a previous iteration in Chicago’s Ravinia neighborhood closed in 2018. A statement from the shop’s Instagram reassured fans, thanking “everyone who checked in and offered support” while noting the minimal damage.
On social media, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman shared a reflective snapshot of the scene, captioned with disbelief: “Can you believe someone drove into the front of Madame Zuzu’s AGAIN?” It’s clear that Corgan’s characteristic wit remains intact amidst the chaos.
As WGN9’s helicopter captured images of the scene—which showed a relatively unscathed brick facade—one can’t help but wonder if Corgan’s tea shop is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, or if the universe has a peculiar fascination with the rocker’s crumpets.
Despite what seems to be an unfortunate run of luck, Corgan is channeling his energies into the music sphere. He recently announced a solo tour celebrating milestones for both Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (30th anniversary) and Machina/The Machines of God (25th anniversary), kicking off in Baltimore on June 7. He’s also collaborating with the Lyric Opera of Chicago for a reimagined series of concerts in November, showcasing Mellon Collie in a new light.
As Corgan navigates another obstacle on this journey—both in business and music—one can only hope that future visits to Madame Zuzu’s will be filled with the aroma of tea rather than the screech of tires. For now, the official word from Madame Zuzu’s is clear: they’re open for business, waiting to serve up something warm amidst the chaos.
