CupATea, an authentic boba shop, opened in downtown Brookings over the summer. It is located at 319 Sixth Street, across from Wells Fargo Bank. According to its owner, James Nguyen, it is the “first and only authentic boba shop in Brookings.” The shop is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Nguyen wants people to come to the shop and compare their drinks to others. He believes that once people try CupATea’s authentic boba, they will see the difference and help spread the shop’s reputation. Boba tea is a drink with a milk or fruit tea base and a topping that goes to the bottom of the drink, giving it a snack-like quality.
Customers Mika Brown and Storme Howie have given the store a thumbs-up, stating that it is better than other boba shops in the area. The business has been doing well since the start, especially now that college students have returned for the school year.
Despite some initial challenges, such as people being hesitant to try something new and the shop running out of ingredients in its first week, Nguyen is confident that things will continue to improve. He hopes that more people will try and recognize the unique beverages offered by CupATea.
Kirsten Gjesdal, the executive director of Downtown Brookings, is pleased to see new businesses like CupATea opening in the downtown area. She believes that it brings something new to the downtown scene and attracts a younger crowd. Nguyen also owns Brookings Nails & Spa and decided to open CupATea after not finding a boba shop in the area for the past 10 years.
CupATea is proud to be original, from its franchise to the recipes for its drinks. They make their drinks from scratch and use premium ingredients imported from Taiwan. Nguyen encourages everyone to come and see the difference for themselves, and to experience a piece of Asian cuisine and culture in Brookings, South Dakota.