OH! Boba, a popular bubble tea shop near the University of Dayton, will close its Brown Street location next month, with its final day of operation set for May 16.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the owners explained the difficult decision to shut down the store, citing challenges posed by the current political climate and the uncertain economy.
“We had high hopes that this would be a permanent chapter for OH Boba, especially here in Dayton, a place that holds so much meaning for us. However, we had to make a very difficult but necessary decision for the future of our small business,” the post stated.
OH Boba, founded by Jess Justice, QQ Qiang, and Ting Shi, opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Troy at 217 SE Public Square in 2022. The Dayton location, which opened in May 2024, was the company’s third, following a Springfield shop opened in 2023 inside COhatch The Market at 101 S. Fountain Ave.
“We were the Boba generation,” said Justice, reflecting on the cultural significance of milk tea during their childhoods. “The milk tea was part of our childhood, whether it was after school, on the way to a movie theater, or just strolling around the mall. We were always sipping milk tea through the oversized straws while hanging out with friends.”
Though the decision to close the Dayton shop was tough, the owners expressed gratitude for the support they received. “Brown Street was everything we dreamed of: a beautiful space filled with love, laughter, and the incredible community we hoped to build,” they wrote. “We are endlessly grateful to everyone who walked through our doors, who supported us with a smile, a kind word, or simply by choosing to make OH Boba part of your day.”
Customers who have purchased gift cards can use them at OH Boba’s Troy or Springfield locations. The owners assured fans that while the Brown Street location is closing, it’s not the end of OH Boba’s journey. “This isn’t a goodbye forever — it’s just part of our story,” they concluded.
Related topics:
