One of Arlington’s favorite boba tea cafes is preparing to strike out on its own, bringing bubbles and delicious cuisine to the city’s dining scene. Bees & Tea is breaking free of its home in Asia Bistro to become a stand-alone concept, reports local media outlet ARLNow.
The shop currently operates in Asia Bistro at 1301 South Joyce Street. However, Bees & Tea will be moving to a new space at 1201 South Joyce Street. The building which previously housed Bread & Water is being renovated in anticipation of the boba tea shop’s arrival after Asia Bistro closes in October.
Bees & Tea has applied for a license to serve beer and wine which management anticipates being approved by August or September.
Bees & Tea owner Jessica Arbaugh tells What Now DC that the concept will offer customers so much more than just high-quality bubble tea. She states: “We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Bees & Tea, a unique boba tea, bánh mì, and sweets shop, now as a standalone destination in the vibrant courtyard of WestPost. After successfully incubating our concept at Asia Bistro for the past five years, we are excited to offer our fresh, handcrafted boba tea, Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches, taiyaki, and delightful sweets in a dedicated space to better serve our loyal patrons and welcome new customers.”
While Bees & Tea is Arbaugh and her crew’s latest contribution to Arlington, they have a long history with the neighborhood. She explains “Our journey at WestPost began 23 years ago with the opening of Saigon Saigon, followed by Asia Bistro, both cherished community landmarks. The opening of Bees & Tea is a natural extension of our deep-rooted connection to Arlington and the WestPost community. We are committed to continuing our tradition of exceptional service and high-quality products that our customers have come to expect.”
Arbaugh is looking forward to creating a space where guests can enjoy a delicious bite in the comfort of a welcoming atmosphere. Summing up her vision for the space, she says: “Join us at Bees & Tea to experience a wide array of refreshing boba tea flavors, crafted with premium ingredients and bánh mì, alongside an assortment of delicious sweets such as taiyaki and soft serve ice cream that are perfect for every palate. Of course, wine and beer will be available for those who want to “sip back & relax” We look forward to sharing our passion for boba tea, bánh mì and sweets with the community we proudly call home.”
