October 1, 2025

Gong cha opens Friday on Capitol Hill

Gong cha photo, via Instagram [enlarge]

The Capitol Hill store marks the brand’s expansion in the Pacific Northwest.

If the recent closure of your favorite coffee shop has gotten you down, perhaps it's time to try some bubble tea?

Gong cha is opening a new store on Capitol Hill this Friday. This will be the international bubble tea brand's first shop in Washington state, and marks the brand's expansion in the Pacific Northwest.

The store is set to open at 1124 E. Pike St. — not to be confused with the recently closed Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which had a similar address at 1124 Pike. That spot is several blocks west; Gong cha is taking the corner at 12th Avenue and East Pike.

The store will be led by led by father-daughter team Ajay and Prachi Keshap. Ajay Keshap is a seasoned franchisor with a portfolio of more than 50 restaurants across the region, including Dave's Hot Chicken. His daughter, Prachi, has a background in retail and supply chain management, and will oversee the Capitol Hill launch and guide day-to-day operations, while also leading the brand's broader regional growth.

“I approached my dad about adding Gong cha to our portfolio because I've seen firsthand how the brand resonates with younger generations,” said Prachi Keshap, in a news release. “Capitol Hill was the perfect place to start — it's where people are always looking for new food and drink experiences, and bubble tea already has a strong following here. We're thrilled to celebrate with the community during our grand opening, and excited to continue growing the brand across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.”

The shop bills itself as a new neighborhood “third place,” with late night hours, allowing guests to gather, study or connect well into the night. The store will stay open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

And, along with a full menu of bubble tea, the store will have snacks and light bites such as Shin Ramen and bubble waffles in chocolate, matcha and Oreo flavors.

Gong cha has nearly 2,200 locations in 30 international markets; since 2014, it has opened more than 240 stores in the U.S.