This bubble tea shop is opening in the former Superchefs space. Here's what to know
An empty restaurant in the Highlands will soon have a new concept.
The Bep Teahouse plans to open at 1702 Bardstown Road in the former Superchefs space by the end of April. The 3,121-square-foot restaurant shares a building with Sapporo and Pho Cafe.
Co-owner Mimi Luu said she has loved bubble tea her whole life and always wanted to open her own shop. On one of her many trips to Houston, Texas for work, she came across a tea shop she fell in love with — Bep Teahouse.
"I always get the classic milk tea, because that's the most important drink on the menu," she said. "If it's good, you know the other menu items will be good too. I drank theirs and loved it, it had a nice strong tea aroma and flavor. Once she decided to franchise, I jumped in."
The Louisville shop is the first franchisee location of Bep Teahouse, Luu said. She's noticed more of a trend with national brands like Tiger Sugar and Sharetea coming to Louisville. When the Superchefs space became available, she knew it would fit her vision. She and a family member own the shop together.
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"The location is what's prime," she said. "I've been going to Saporro since I was a kid, and every time there's a wait. I said we need to open here because we can get those people to come to our shop, drink our tea, hang out and then when their table is ready they can walk over. The natural lighting and porch are a plus, too."
The breakfast restaurant Superchefs closed in the space last July when its lease was up for renewal. At the time, owner Darnell Ferguson had plans to move the restaurant and continue operations. Now, he's focusing on his TV career with his own Food Network show, "Superchef: Grudge Match," instead.
Luu said the restaurant has been completely gutted and rebuilt into a "contemporary, modern concept with lots of cute, quirky colors." The shop has teal couches, pink loveseats, wooden tables, and mid-century modern chairs. A full bar, neon lights and games fill the space. Each table has access to plugs for chargers so customers can work there and stay awhile.
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The Bep Teahouse will serve all-organic teas and boba, or tapioca balls, made in the U.S., Luu said. Fruit teas, milk teas and smoothies are the main items on the menu, with a selection of Vietnamese finger foods and street foods like popcorn chicken, fries, vegetarian spring rolls, fried pot stickers and rice paper salad. Foods will be $6 to $11 and drinks range from $3.75 for a standard tea to $7 for fruit teas topped with pieces of fruit.
"We want this place to be family-oriented, especially for the kids, because it's a family-owned business too," Luu said. "My niece and nephew will work here with me. I hope people from all walks of life come visit. This shop isn't just for Asian people."
Bep Teahouse will be open Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More: Bubble tea takeover: Here are 7 places to try bubble tea around Louisville
Reach food reporter Dahlia Ghabour at dghabour@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The Bep Teahouse boba tea shop is opening in former Superchefs space
