The food and drink industry is no exception when it comes to innovative menu options. Most recently, boba tea has risen in popularity, and one business owner is preparing to make it a permanent option in downtown Troy. Jess Justice is the founder of OH! Boba, a boba tea/milk tea shop that currently pops up at the The Pop-Up at 4 W. Main in Troy every Thursday and Saturday. Justice operates the business alongside QQ Qiang and Ting Shi.
Justice says the inspiration behind opening the business was all about recreating their childhood memories of having boba teas with their friends and family. “We are the Boba Generation,” she says. “We want our customers to feel OH! Yummy after they have a taste of our drink.”
“Boba teas and and bubble waffles were the quintessential part of our social life growing up,” says Justice. That’s why the three wanted to create a boutique-style milk tea shop that brings people together, creates personal connections, and is a place where memories can be made.
The menu at OH! Boba includes freshly brewed tea, milk tea, fruit tea and bubble waffles. “We are always working on developing and testing new flavors, we want to offer a diverse and fun menu. However, we also don’t want the menu to be extensively large to ensure that we’re offering exceptional items to our customers,” adds Justice.
When the permanent OH! Boba store opens, they will add smoothies and sparkling drinks to the menu as well as seasonal items celebrating events and holidays throughout the year.
Justice says that OH! Boba brings not just a unique concept to Troy and the northern Miami Valley, the store is also big on shopping local and eating fresh. “We want to collaborate with and support other local businesses as much as we can,” says Justice. “We will be sourcing and featuring items from local farms and businesses such as Young’s Dairy, Yellow Truck Farm, and more.”
In addition to offering menu items made with local ingredients, OH! Boba also uses fresh milk instead of non-dairy creamer for its milk tea as well as high-quality jasmine green tea and Assam black tea. “It’s the details that make a big difference in the quality and taste of our product,” adds Justice.
The permanent storefront of OH! Boba will be located at 217 SE Public Square in Troy. She says the goal is to be open in early May this year. For now, though, you can visit OH! Boba every Thursday and Saturday at The Pop-Up at 4 W. Main.
To learn more about OH! Boba, follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
