It’s only been a few days since the announcement of a new business in New Town, but there’s more news to come.
Kung Fu Tea, a locally-owned franchise selling various tea products and Taiwanese fried chicken specialties, will open at 4902 Courthouse St. between Brass Tap of Williamsburg and Conte’s Bikes, leasing agent Cushman and Wakefield | Thalhimer wrote in a news release Thursday.
The shop is slated to open this fall.
The space will have walk-up ordering, a carry-out pick-up area and a fully-covered outdoor patio.
Kung Fu Tea, a New York-based business that opened in 2009, will sell bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, Boba milk tea or Boba. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese drink invented in the 1980s and mixed with milk or fruit and topped with “chewy tapioca balls,” according to the news release.
The drinks can be customized on three levels, called the topping, sugar and ice levels. Toppings can include “bubbles,” popping bubbles or different types of beans and jellies.
“Bubble Tea has become as popular as coffee in certain parts of the world and Kung Fu Tea is leading the charge in spreading the culture nationally,” said Thalhimer broker Wick Smith in a prepared statement.
Kung Fu Tea’s food includes original, crispy mild and crispy spicy chicken in sandwiches, combos, platters and salads.
Kung Fu Tea’s fried chicken menu was a result of a new partnership in 2018 with TKK Fried Chicken in one of Kung Fu’s New York City locations.
TKK Fried Chicken was founded in 1974 in Wanhua district of Taipei, Taiwan.
“We have watched the success of this excellent operator across Hampton Roads and are thrilled to have them select New Town for their newest location,” Smith said.
Hours for the new New Town business have not yet been set, but they will “revolve around New Town’s busy lunch and dinner trade with a focus on serving shoppers/ theater patrons both before and after movie showings,” according to the news release.
Construction will take about four months once permits are approved by James City County. The permit tracking system did not list any open permits for 4902 Courthouse St. as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
