One of the more than 2,000 Gong cha locations on the planet (Image: Gong cha)

Capitol Hill might have a boba problem.

With a wave of sweet tea-related openings coming out of the pandemic, areas like Broadway and Pike/Pine are swimming in it.

The corner of 12th and Pike will soon add to the overflow.

Paperwork is in motion to change a former fashion boutique on the edge of the Pike/Pine nightlife core into a new Gong cha Tea cafe, a possible first West Coast expansion of one of the largest global bubble tea brands.

Gong cha says it was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Its name translates to “tribute tea for the emperor.”

The company currently has franchise locations dotting the East Coast and as far west as Texas,

Around the world, Gong cha says it either operates or has franchise agreements for more than 2,000 cafes in more than 23 countries. Like many of the giant Asia-based brands that expand here, local franchisers run clusters of stores under a U.S.-subsidiary.

Gong cha will replace local fashion boutique Sway and Cake which closed earlier this year with plans to move to the Eastside.

It will also face heavy competition from both global brands and unique, one of a kind neighborhood tea providers.

One of the closest and most significant cafe investments opened earlier this year as COMEBUYTEA opened in a former Starbucks at Pike and Broadway, bringing its upscale, craft take on the genre to Capitol Hill.

There are more. Don’t Yell At Me operates next to Dick’s Drive-in on Broadway. A new Timeless Tea location opened on the north end of the street. Meanwhile, you can also pick up a Korean take on milk tea at Broadway’s Cafe Haslla. Veteran Capitol Hill tea scene shops including the equally crafty Atulea on 12th Ave and 10th Ave’s boba, Instagram, and bearyaki-powered Drip Tea also continue as popular choices.

The latest to open is north on Broadway where a tattoo shop has been transformed into the very pink Bober Tea and Mochi Dough shop. Earlier listings showed the space on the market for $2,700 a month plus $750 in monthly property costs.

Like the Bober investment, updates at 12th and Pike will involve a change of use from retail to food service and all of the permitting paperwork that goes with it.

With costs and competition, it might seem like a bad investment — but you also might want to bet on a track record of more than 2,000 cafes around the world. Perhaps boba tea, like craft coffee, is one of those necessities of city life and the real goal should be a bubble tea shop on every block.

Gong cha Tea is coming to 1122 E Pike. Learn more at gongchausa.com.

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