A Chicago-based tea shop and café has officially been added to the culinary landscape of Downtown Jersey City as Uni Uni Bubble Tea is serving customers out of a newer development.
The business is now open at 485 Marin, at the corner of 8th Street. The shop occupies what had been the property’s leasing office when it opened in 2018.
Jersey Digs reported on the impending shop last year, which is owned by Patrick Jiang. 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 cut the ribbon at the café.
Bright lights, green plants, and a central unicorn statue set the tone for the experience at Uni Uni, which sports a menu of more than 40 drinks and 19 different toppings. Uni Uni Bubble Tea was founded in Chicago in 2020 and has since expanded to seven states, with the Jersey City location being locally owned.
Owner Patrick Jiang jumped at the opportunity to open New Jersey’s first Uni Uni Bubble Tea location, hoping to be an important part of the community.
“I knew I wanted to open in Jersey City,” said Jiang. “Our goal is to create a space where the community can connect, gather, and celebrate small moments together.”
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 the teas at Uni Uni are grown and harvested in Taiwan.
Uni Uni Bubble Tea also offers snacks and desserts, including croffles, a croissant and waffle hybrid served with a variety of toppings. The café is also remote work-friendly, as they provide seating with WiFi and electrical outlets right at desks.
Jiang says that things are going well enough in the early days of the business that he is already thinking of opening a second shop in another building owned by 485 Marin developer KRE.
Uni Uni is now open in Jersey City daily starting at 11 a.m., with a noon opening on Mondays. They close at 9 p.m., with service until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They can be followed in Instagram at their Jersey City-specific account at the handle @uniuni_jc.
