Boba on every block? Gong cha Tea, another global bubble brand, landing on Capitol Hill

Gong cha Tea plans to open a new café at 1122 E Pike in Capitol Hill, potentially marking its first West Coast location. Founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the brand operates over 2,000 cafes across more than 23 countries, primarily through local franchises in the U. S. The new café will replace Sway and Cake, a fashion boutique that closed earlier this year to move to the Eastside. This new establishment will face significant competition from local favorites like Atulea and newly opened spots such as COMEBUYTEA, which recently transformed a former Starbucks.

In addition to the boba tea expansion, Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a $1. 9 million expansion of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department, which will enhance services in Capitol Hill and the Central District. The Seattle City Council will review this funding proposal as part of its mid-year budget discussions. This dual focus on boba tea and community safety reflects the evolving landscape of Capitol Hill. As the area continues to grow, residents may see more diverse options for both food and safety services.