UNI UNI BUBBLE TEA OPENS AT 485 MARIN IN JERSEY CITY
New Business Offers Unique Bubble Tea Experience with Menu of 40+ Drinks and Snacks
JERSEY CITY, NJ – Uni Uni Bubble Tea, a business dedicated to offering customers a unique bubble tea experience, is now open at 485 Marin in Jersey City, developer KRE announced today.
Located at the corner of Marin Boulevard and 8th Street, the new shop occupies a prominent storefront that was once the building’s leasing office. Customers who step inside are immediately transported into an immersive environment. Bright lights, green plants and a central unicorn statue set the tone for the tea drinking experience to come. A menu of more than 40 drinks and 19 different toppings emphasizes playful combinations and fresh ingredients.
Owner Patrick Jiang, a passionate Bubble Tea fan, jumped at the opportunity to bring New Jersey’s first Uni Uni Bubble Tea location to Jersey City.
“I knew I wanted to open in Jersey City. I love the vibe here,” Mr. Jiang said.
He wants Uni Uni Bubble Tea to be more than just a place to buy delicious drinks. He wants it to be an important part of the community.
“Our goal is to create a space where the community can connect, gather, and celebrate small moments together,” Mr. Jiang said. “We are proud to announce our opening and proud to be a part of the Hamilton Park neighborhood.”
Fresh Brewed Tea, Handcrafted Drinks
Uni Uni Bubble Tea was founded in Chicago in 2020 and has since expanded to seven states. The New Jersey location is locally owned. Driven by the craftsman spirit, the shop focuses on every single detail of the tea-brewing process to present a flawless taste and appearance.
Customers can choose from a menu that includes classic milk teas, tea lattes, fresh fruit teas, fresh milk drinks with pudding, sago slush, smoothies, fresh brewed teas, and specialty drinks. All teas are grown and harvested in Taiwan.
A variety of toppings are available, many of which are different flavors of boba, the chewy tapioca pearls that give bubble tea its name, distinct texture, flavor and appearance. The drinks are customizable. Customers can choose their sweetness level and there are caffeine-free options available. Some drinks are iced only, but many can be made both iced and hot. All milk teas are lactose-free and milk alternatives are available.
Uni Uni Bubble Tea also offers snacks and desserts, including croffles, a croissant and waffle hybrid served with a variety of toppings.
Mr. Jiang recommends a classic milk tea for anyone trying bubble tea for the first time, but he invites customers to explore the entire menu.
“For somebody who hasn’t had boba before, we really want them to try a classic milk tea: the Ancient Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea. It’s non-dairy and it’s very traditional,” Mr. Jiang said. “We use fresh fruit in our fresh fruit tea category, and our sago slush category is also becoming very popular. And among kids, our smoothies are a top seller right now. We have mango, strawberry, coconut and Oreo.”
Bright, Vibrant Café Setting
Jersey City Councilperson At-Large Mamta Singh and Jersey City Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Mira Prinz Arey recently joined Mr. Jiang, staff members, and officials from KRE to officially open the shop with a ribbon cutting.
For Mr. Jiang, it was the apogee of a business ownership journey that began in early 2025 when he leased the space. He spent more than a year preparing to open, including six months of interior improvements and renovations.
“We went through multiple iterations during the design phase. It was really important to us to perfect our interior design,” Mr. Jiang said.
With a background in real estate, he knew he needed to get small details right to promote a welcoming atmosphere. Light fixtures became clouds. A load-bearing column became a self-order kiosk. His final design is an elegant layout that invites customers to relax and enjoy their drink.
“We provide seating with WiFi and electrical outlets right at the desk, because a lot of residents like to come here for meetings, or to study or get their work done,” Mr. Jiang said. “We are not a café, but we are still providing a café vibe.”
Positioned for Success
Opening at 485 Marin gives Uni Uni Bubble Tea two major advantages, according to Mr. Jiang: the large amount of foot traffic and a built-in customer base of hundreds of residents who live in the building’s 397 apartments. The store connects to 485 Marin via an interior entrance, giving apartment residents direct access to the shop.
Things are going well enough in the early days of the business that Mr. Jiang is already thinking of opening a second shop in another KRE-owned building.
“KRE has been great to me. During construction. During lease negotiations. This is a landlord that is known for being great to vendors, which I really appreciate,” Mr. Jiang said. “We want to do future partnerships with KRE. Maybe we will look to do another location at some point since we have had such a great experience working with KRE.”
About Kushner Real Estate
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Jersey City, KRE is one of a select few time-tested and family-run developers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. For over four decades, KRE has been creating thoughtful spaces where people can truly feel at home. The KRE multi-family portfolio exceeds 9,000 existing residences, with an additional 7,000 in various stages of approval construction. The company also owns and manages more than 6,000,000 square feet of office, warehouse, and retail space. For more information, visit www.thekregroup.com.
Photo Caption: Jersey City Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Mira Prinz Arey, KRE President Jon Kushner, KRE Chief Design Officer Marc Kushner, and Jersey City Councilperson At-Large Mamta Singh join the Uni Uni Bubble Tea team led by owner Patrick Jiang to cut the ribbon on Uni Uni’s new Jersey City location at 485 Marin.
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