Kokee Tea opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Kokee Tea has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The bubble tea kiosk added one novel design touch just before its debut: a giant bubble tea cup that lights up. "Kokee Tea is a cozy and modern bubble tea cafe that offers a variety of delicious and refreshing drinks," the company said in a statement. "Whether you’re looking for a classic milk tea, a fruity smoothie, or a creamy latte, we have something for you. You can also customize your drink with different toppings, such as tapioca pearls, jelly, pudding, or popping boba. Our drinks are made with high-quality ingredients and brewed fresh daily."

The bubble tea chain has added seven new locations this year, including Montgomery Mall. Ashburn, Baltimore, Centreville, Lorton, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, and Urbana are the others. Look for Kokee Tea on Level 1 of the mall, outside of Macy's.

Kokee Tea bubble tea kiosk opening at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Westfield Montgomery Mall recently added a coffee kiosk, and now there's an option for tea lovers on the way. Kokee Tea is opening a kiosk on Level 1 of the mall, outside of Macy's. It has been under construction for the last few weeks, but now signage has been attached. 

"Kokee Tea is a cozy and modern bubble tea cafe that offers a variety of delicious and refreshing drinks," the company said in a statement. "Whether you’re looking for a classic milk tea, a fruity smoothie, or a creamy latte, we have something for you. You can also customize your drink with different toppings, such as tapioca pearls, jelly, pudding, or popping boba. Our drinks are made with high-quality ingredients and brewed fresh daily."

The bubble tea chain has added seven new locations this year, including Montgomery Mall. Ashburn, Baltimore, Centreville, Lorton, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, and Urbana are the others.

Teazzi Tea Shop to open first DMV-area location in Bethesda

Teazzi Tea Shop, a Taiwanese tea chain, will open its first store in the Washington, D.C. region right here in Montgomery County, in downtown Bethesda. It will be at 4941 Elm Street, in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Teazzi currently has 4 New York City-area shops, as well as locations in Boston, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Sunnyvale (California), and Las Vegas. The company has franchisees gearing up to open in Seattle and San Gabriel (California), and in a second Boston location. 

Tea selections at Teazzi include Four Seasons Oolong, Golden Oolong, Amber Oolong, Deep Roast Oolong, Dark Roast Black Tea, and Jasmine Green Tea. Menu options include milk tea, fruit tea, floam, tea lattes, and Teazzi's signature (but optional) topping of oats. Construction on the Bethesda shop will commence in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy Teazzi Tea Shop

Daboba tea shop to hold grand opening in Rockville

Daboba is getting ready for a busy two days this upcoming weekend in Rockville. The Malaysia-based bubble tea chain will celebrate the grand opening of its newest store in the Talbott Center at 1079 Rockville Pike this Saturday, July 8, 2023 and Sunday, July 9. On Saturday, Daboba's first 50 customers will receive a free drink, and the next 50 customers will be offered a buy-one-get-one-free deal. The first 100 customers on Sunday will receive "free gifts." 

After 3:00 PM on Sunday, you will be able to get any of their Honey Golden Pearl series drinks for 50% off if you purchase one of their Roasted Brown Sugar series beverages. One complication for those eager to be first in line is that Daboba has not yet announced its operating hours. Most of their US stores open at 11:00 AM, except the Midwest stores, which seem to open at noon.

Top photo: RockvilleNights.com
Middle, bottom photos courtesy Daboba

Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival today in Rockville

The Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival will be held today, Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Rockville Town Square. Hosted by Taiwan Sister Cities, the event will feature food, live music, cultural performances, games, and - of course - bubble tea. Maryland Avenue between E. Middle Lane and Beall Avenue will be closed off for the event from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM for the event. 

Ding Tea for sale in Rockville

Ding Tea, a tea shop selling bubble tea, milk tea, macha and more at 785-C Rockville Pike, is being marketed for sale. The shop remains open, but according to the sale listing, the owner is moving out-of-state and would like to sell the business. Asking price is $650,000. The lease for the shop at the Ritchie Center has two years remaining on it, with a 5-year renewal option.

Ding Tea opened in January 2020, but managed to survive the pandemic lockdowns and downturn. Rent for the shop's space is currently $5100 a month, according to the sale listing.

Mr. Wish opening September 22 in Rockville

Rockville's Mr. Wish is coming true tomorrow. The specialty beverage shop is opening Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Congressional Plaza at 1615 Rockville Pike. It will be located between Custom Ink and European Wax Center.

The Grand Opening celebration will continue on September 25 and 26 only, when you can buy one Mr. Wish Special Fruit Tea, and not only get another one free, but also a bubble tea keychain. And on September 27 and 28 only, a drink purchase will allow you to get a second of the same drink free. 

Regular hours for the shop will be Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and Friday - Sunday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Mr. Wish specialties will include fruit teas, bubble tea and smoothies. Check out their menu online for a sneak preview.

Photos: Robert Dyer (top, center) and Mr. Wish (bottom)

Signage installed at Mr. Wish in Rockville

Signage has been installed at Mr. Wish at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Last night, the main sign was lit. Mr. Wish features fruit teas, bubble tea, and smoothies. The shop is currently hiring baristas and servers for both morning and night shifts. This is the first Maryland location for the Pennsylvania-based chain.

Mr. Wish to open Rockville location

A new source of refreshment is coming to Congressional Plaza in Rockville. Mr. Wish is "coming soon" to 1615 Rockville Pike, according to signage placed in the storefront window. At Mr. Wish, you will find fruit teas, bubble teas, and smoothies that may hit the spot after your workout at the shopping center's new Fit Row fitness studios.

Mr. Wish currently has locations in nine other states. This will be the Pennsylvania-based chain's first Maryland store. Mr. Wish will be located next to Custom Ink.

Moge Tee opening today at Montgomery Mall

Moge Tee, the latest bubble tea spot to arrive in Montgomery County, will open today, June 20, 2019, at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Buy one drink and get another for 50% off today only at this location only, if you check in at Moge Tee or either Facebook or Yelp. Moge Tee is located at the edge of the Dining Terrace on Level 2, where Frozen Stuff on a Stick was previously.

Pearl Lady tea shop opens in Rockville

The new Pearl Lady bubble tea shop and Yamachan Ramen have opened at 201 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. They are in the ground floor of the Cambria Suites hotel. This is the first Pearl Lady location outside of Japan, and among the drinks the Rockville shop is highlighting is their Amber Boba. The ramen menu is also available.

Gong Cha Daily Tea Place to open in Rockville March 31

Another bubble tea shop is on the way to Rockville. Despite being an international chain, Gong Cha Daily Tea Place has plenty of authentic credentials. It was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and its name means “tribute tea for the emperor.”

Gong Cha brews its tea and cooks its bubble pearls every four hours for freshness. Their tea is sourced from "the finest Taiwan tea estates." Gong Cha will open on March 31 in the former Pie 360 space in the Galvan apartments, located at 1800-C Rockville Pike.

Signage installed at Lab Cafe in Rockville (Photos)

The sign and new awning are up outside the new Lab Cafe at Rockville Town Square. Replacing Ev and Maddy's, the bubble tea cafe is expected to open in mid-July. Lab Cafe will be at 101-C Gibbs Street, right next to Little Dipper Hot Pot.

Corner Bubble, Fusion Academy coming to Rockville Town Center

Rockville Town Square has found a tenant for the briefly-vacant Ev and Maddy's space at 101-C Gibbs Street. Corner Bubble appears to be a bubble tea shop.

Meanwhile, up the road at 275 N. Washington Street, The JBG Companies have found a different type of tenant - a school. Fusion Academy will be a private school offering one-to-one teacher-student learning for middle school and high school students.

With one teacher and one student per classroom, Fusion Academy is designed for children who are not being served well by traditional class sizes. These include gifted students, and those interested in pursuing acting or athletics.

Fusion will hire 15-20 teachers at first, and could have as many as 35 staff members once the school is at full capacity. They will also offer customized schedules tailored to each student's needs. Homework is done at the Homework Cafe at school.

Allison Mapes, who will be the Head of School, is originally from Virginia. “I’m eager to return to the area and to connect with students and parents in a way that fosters true educational, emotional and social growth,” Mapes said in a statement Monday. “Having taught in many private and public school settings, I’m impressed by Fusion’s ability to connect directly with each student, making them feel valued and treasured, which is what we strive to remind them of every day.”

Fusion has schools in Alexandria, Washington, D.C. and Tysons. Fully accredited, the first location was founded 27 years ago in San Diego. The school will share JBG's recently-constructed mixed-use building with Kung Fu Tea and Lavande Patisserie.

Tea Dó Rockville menu preview (Photos)

Tea Dó appears near ready to open at 838-C Rockville Pike, and here is a preview of the menu:

Tea Dó Contemporary Tea House coming to Rockville (Photos)

Tea Dó, a "contemporary tea house", is taking over the Yocake space at 838-C Rockville Pike. Like its predecessor, Tea Dó will serve boba tea, a.k.a. bubble tea.

But they will also have many Japanese menu items, including edamame, gyoza (Japanese dumplings), seaweed and kani salads, onigiri, a wide variety of teas and mixed drinks, desserts, and Lacas brand coffee.

BUBBLE TEA IN ROCKVILLE

Rockville is the bubble tea capital of Montgomery County.

One of the many restaurants offering this popular drink is Pho Nom Nom, a Vietnamese restaurant at 842 Rockville Pike.

Here's their Bubble Tea Menu: