Taiwan-founded boba shop expanding with Pleasant Hill location

(KRON) — A boba tea chain founded in Taiwan is opening its first location in Pleasant Hill at the Crossroads Shopping Center. Gong Cha, which is also opening its first Contra Costa County location, will have its grand opening next weekend on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m.

Gong Cha Pleasant Hill is located at 2360 Monument Blvd. Suite B — next to the Gamestop and the former site of Sport Clips.

The grand opening will feature giveaways for the first 100 guests on Saturday: a free medium pearl milk tea, Gong Cha announced on social media. Other giveaways include a 55-inch TV and Apple AirPods. More information about grand opening giveaways can be viewed on their social media.

Also opening in Pleasant Hill is Osaka Marketplace, a supermarket specializing in Japanese products that opened its first location four years ago. That grocery store will open next to the Century Theaters.

There are currently 12 Gong Cha locations in the Bay Area, including in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, Alameda and Union City. As of now, Gong Cha does not have any locations in the North Bay or Peninsula.

Gong Cha was founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, according to its website. The chain now has more than 1,800 locations in 20 countries.

Since opening nearly 20 years ago across the Pacific Ocean, Gong Cha has risen in popularity in North America, with locations in both Canada and Mexico. Gong Cha has more than 92,000 followers on its U.S. Instagram page.

The boba tea chain recently partnered with K-pop superstar Felix of boy band Stray Kids. Gong Cha announced that U.S. locations will drop special menu items in collaboration with the musician starting on Aug. 11.