“We have some unique flavors.”
That’s the word from Jen Hart, who owns the new Bubble’s Boba Tea shop located on the first floor of the Scott Community College Urban Campus, 101 W. Third St., Davenport.
“Some of the flavors here are just wildly popular,” Ms. Hart said, just before a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 29, to welcome Bubble’s to the community.
The event attracted about 25 that featured family members, including her husband, Tom; friends; members of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC); the Downtown Davenport Partnership; Eastern Iowa Community Colleges and others from the community.
Janessa Calderon, executive director of the GQCHCC, said Ms. Hart has put her “heart and passion” into the new business.
“She’s courageous and strong. She has hit the ground running … and she keeps brainstorming on ways to grow her business,” Ms. Calderon added.
Ms. Hart said she is grateful to the community for supporting her business, adding that Scott Community College has been “wonderful” in helping host her business. In addition to the downtown Davenport shop, she has a Bubble’s Boba Tea shop at Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois.
There might be more tea shop sites in the future. Ms. Hart said her goal is to eventually expand and set up more tea shops on other college campuses and in event centers in the region.
“The people here have been amazing. … They are very embracing,” said Ms. Hart, who moved to the Quad Cities about a year ago from Ohio. (She told the QCBJ that she moved to be closer to family members in the area.)
Bubble’s Boba Tea shop, which has been open in downtown Davenport, employs about eight people.
Ms. Hart added that a big part of the reason her business has found success are those “wildly popular” flavors of boba tea. Some of them include horchata, tara, green matcha, peaches & cream, honeydew, mango, strawberry and cotton candy.
“We welcome you to a world where we create drinks specific to you and your exquisite taste. At Bubble’s Boba Tea, we love and celebrate equali-tea, diversi-tea, and conservation,” the business website said.
In addition to the teas, the business also offers a menu that includes breakfast wraps, avocado toast, flatbread pizza and more.
Some items were being served to guests during Friday’s ceremony. A large table in the shop was filled with a variety of treats, including sandwiches, cookies and items from the menu.
In addition to food and drink, the tea shop has seating and computer screens and keyboards for the college crowd. There are also decorative signs stating: “Drown your troubles in bubbles” and “Don’t forget to drink your bubble tea.”
Bubble’s Boba Tea is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number is (567) 454-9440.
Updates on the business hours and menu can be found on its Facebook page.
