SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A new place for bubble tea is now open in Armory Square!
Gong Cha bubble tea has announced a new location in Syracuse at 142-144 Walton Street and it opened this Saturday, Sept. 16.
The bubble tea shop’s hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The City of Syracuse Zoning Staff says the project was approved back in April 2023 and Gong Cha Syracuse says the location will open in September.
If you’ve been in the Armory Square area as of late, you might have noticed the sign for the shop has been put up.
Gong Cha Syracuse posted on its Facebook page that they “can’t wait to serve you soon.”
NewsChannel 9 went to check it out in August and found construction crews were working on the inside, renovating the building and adding lighting and tiling.
Gong Cha Syracuse sent NewsChannel 9 an update on Tuesday, Sept. 12 with pictures of the inside, fully complete and ready to serve customers this weekend.
Even before the opening date was announced, the Central New York community already had major excitement for the new bubble tea hot spot.
Liverpool native and Syracuse Newhouse graduate student, Fabiana Suárez, is very excited for the opening of Gong Cha, as she’s never experienced one before.
“I’ve never been to a Gong Cha before but I am looking forward to it! I’ve already looked up the menu online. In terms of the Syracuse community, I hope that this is a spot where students and people can gather and spend time together over some boba. We really need a cute, nice study spot,” said Suárez.
The news of the store is fairly new, as not a lot of people know about it yet. Suárez shared even as a “boba enthusiast” that she hasn’t heard any talk of the store on campus. However, now that she knows, she said she will “definitely be keeping an eye out!”
“I’m super excited to have a new boba place simply because I don’t love the ones that we have nearby. The one I did like ended up closing recently, which I’ve been super bummed about. I’m hoping that Gong Cha will be just as good or better than that one so I have a new favorite spot to go!”
Merike Treier, Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse said they are also looking forward to the opening of Gong Cha, and the addition of another successful Downtown business.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Gong Cha to Armory Square, adding to the roster of new businesses to experience in the district. Having this unique and popular café open at the heart of Armory Square will provide even more options for visitors, employees and residents to enjoy Downtown Syracuse as a destination.”
This new location will be the 44th Gong Cha in New York. There’s also been an interest in more Gong Cha’s coming to other regions in New York, according to an article posted on the companies website in 2021.
The article mentioned basic information needed to be a bubble tea franchise owner in Upstate New York, and asked, “so you want to open a bubble tea franchise in Upstate New York such as Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, and more.”
So far, there’s Gong Cha’s in the New York City area, the Hudson Valley region, Albany and now Syracuse will have its very own in a central location, perfect for students, residents and people visiting.
“I am not someone who’s willing to go super far just for boba, but Gong Cha seems to be the perfect location, and I am hoping it becomes my new favorite,” said Suárez.
If you’re interested in working at Gong Cha, they are hiring! Positions include cashier, bobarista and shift lead. You can apply by emailing gongchasyracuse@gmail.com.
For updates, make sure to check out Gong Cha Syracuse’s Facebook page.
