 "Photo: Amy Simpson / Central Florida Future")
Popping pinks and greens greet customers as they walk to an LED-lit counter that changes colors with the weather. Local artists' work hangs on a bright blue wall, ready for sale. An LED television displays the menu, with an assortment of milk-tea flavors.
"When people come in, I just want them to see our vision to be an edgy, fun place to be," founder of Chewy Boba Company Quang Vu said.
Vu, a UCF graduate, has been in the boba tea company for 10 years. He owns Lollicup in downtown Orlando but is starting his own company with his wife, Lillian.
"We wanted a location with a home feel," Lillian said. "A colorful place."
Chewy Boba will be a close trip for students, located on the corner of Alafaya Trail and McCulloch Road.
Boba, or bubble tea, is the name for milk tea and other tea products that originated in Taiwan during the 1980s. The bobas are small balls made of tapioca starch and sit at the bottom of the drink.
Boba tea began to gain popularity in Chinatowns throughout the United States and is now becoming more popular in college towns.
The couple drew some inspiration from boba shops on the West Coast. They not only wanted to open a trendy shop where students can stop by for some bubble tea, but also a spot where they can sit and study, play board games or host meet-and-greets.
The duo strive to build on the culture in the area and educate those who don't know of boba tea.
Lillian said that they chose to open up shop near UCF because students are more willing to try new things.
The pair also want to be involved in the community by helping local organizations and charities. They hope students will choose Chewy Boba as a place to host their fundraising events.
While the store is still a work in progress, the owners plan to build curtained-off study spaces and seating areas for guests to hang out; they also want to add to the collection of local art that already features photography of New York and artwork of Pokémon and Nintendo characters Link and Bowser.
Chewy Boba offers an assortment of milk teas from fruity flavors, like banana, to flavors from its Asian roots, like taro and thai.
Chewy Boba will also offer Hawaiian shaved ice, which is similar to a snow cone with fruit toppings.
Vu and Lillian plan to host a grand opening at the end of the month to introduce the finished store, but for now, it is open for customers to purchase their favorite flavor of bubble tea or try something new.
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2 comments
Whatever you call it, it wasn't invented in Hawaii. Even the crappy syrup sold in Hawaii isn't made in Hawaii. Get over yourself, Kimo. Shaved ice comes from the mainland where people know how to speak English. Calling it Hawaiian Shaved Ice is clearly an attempt to educate you monkeys.