If you are looking for a new spin or an interesting way to start or end your day, we have the shop for you. Whether it’s the chewy tapioca pearls, fruity bursts of flavor or the chance to sip something new and exciting, boba is ready to make its mark on the Erie Community. Recently, we got the opportunity to visit Sweet Pearls, a brand new Boba Shop right off of Highway 7 and Vista Parkway. After interviewing the owners and sampling some unique drinks here’s the scoop on what makes this place worth a visit.
We were able to sit down with Co-Owner Katie Nguyen and Co-Owner Richardson Dam, and quickly found that this shop was more than just business, it was a dream come true.”Making drinks is one of my favorite things to do” Katie and Richardson have always been passionate about boba and have a clear vision for what they wanted to bring to the community. “We wanted to open this shop to be able to bring the culture of boba to the community” They both have past experience in the Boba business with already having owned another location. It was clear lots of thought was put into the shop’s design along with its impressive menu selection.
Of course, we had to give it a try. Katie and Richardson were extremely helpful in recommending two popular picks to give us a feel for what it was all about. With both of us being completely new to this we found their suggestions very helpful. Richardson helped us pick out our choices by recommending what other customers liked. “A lot of kids really like our shaken drinks while adults tend to lean towards the more traditional ones” We ended up going with a Brown Sugar Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls and a Shaken Strawberry Fruit Tea with Cherry Popping pearls.
The Brown Sugar Milk Tea had a smooth creamy base with a sweet and warm texture of the Tapioca Pearls. This combination mixed with the drink extremely well offering all the flavors without being overpowered. We can already see this being a go-to choice for anyone who loves a good milk tea.
Next, we went with their Shaken Strawberry Fruit Tea with Cherry popping pearls, a surprisingly sweet mix of flavors, perfect for those looking for a sweet treat. This drink is targeted more towards younger audiences. Making this shop great for everyone.
These were only two of their extremely configurable choices. The entire menu could be customized to fit the customers taste. Katie expressed her desire in using quality ingredients “We try to use higher quality ingredients to help with taste and satisfaction” With hundreds of different combinations this makes it a perfect choice for those looking for something new.
Prices are also something to be mentioned considering the high rates for drinks at other companies. We found the price to be very reasonable considering the excellent product. Again mentioning all the combinations the price can increase or decrease accordingly. We found the usual drink average to be just around $5 dollars. Thus competitive with other nearby businesses. The work place is also worth a mention. Richardson said “The work culture is pretty friendly, welcoming and I enjoy being here.”
Overall, we would definitely recommend Sweet Pearls to anyone looking to switch up their usual routine. The unique flavors, friendly vibe, and dedication from the owners make it a place I’m excited to visit again. Between all the excellent choices, our only struggle is deciding which drink to get next time!
