The Hamilton Park neighborhood has a vibrant new gathering spot as Uni Uni Bubble Tea officially opens its doors at 485 Marin. The new cafe, located at the prominent corner of Marin Boulevard and 8th Street, marks the Chicago-born franchise’s first foray into the New Jersey market.
Developed by Jersey City-based KRE Group, the storefront—formerly the building’s leasing office—has been transformed into an immersive, whimsical environment. Featuring cloud-like light fixtures, lush greenery, and a central unicorn statue, the space is designed to be a “community living room” for residents and commuters alike.
Founded in Chicago in 2020, Uni Uni has quickly expanded across seven states, but owner Patrick Jiang knew Jersey City was the right place for his locally owned outpost. Jiang, who spent over a year meticulously designing the interior, aimed to blend the efficiency of a boba shop with the comfort of a modern cafe.
“I knew I wanted to open in Jersey City. I love the vibe here,” Jiang said. “Our goal is to create a space where the community can connect, gather, and celebrate small moments together.”
Uni Uni prides itself on a “craftsman spirit,” using teas grown and harvested in Taiwan and fresh fruit for its signature blends. The extensive menu features over 40 drinks and 19 toppings, including:
- Classic Milk Teas: Including the signature Ancient Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea (non-dairy).
- Sago Slush & Smoothies: Popular choices for families, featuring flavors like mango, strawberry, and Oreo.
- Fresh Fruit Teas: Brewed with real fruit and customizable sweetness levels.
- Signature Snacks: Including “croffles”—a trendy croissant-waffle hybrid.
The shop is notably inclusive, offering lactose-free milk teas and various milk alternatives to accommodate dietary preferences.
With a background in real estate, Jiang intentionally designed the layout to serve the “work-from-home” crowd. The shop features seating equipped with WiFi and electrical outlets, encouraging residents of 485 Marin—which houses 397 luxury apartments—to use the space for meetings, study sessions, or creative work.
The shop even features a direct interior entrance for residents of the KRE-owned building, providing “built-in” foot traffic that Jiang says has already positioned the business for early success.
The grand opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Jersey City Councilperson At-Large Mamta Singh and Jersey City Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Mira Prinz-Arey.
The partnership between Jiang and KRE has been so successful that the owner is already eyeing a potential second location within another KRE property. “KRE has been great to me… this is a landlord that is known for being great to vendors,” Jiang noted.
As Jersey City continues its retail renaissance, Uni Uni Bubble Tea stands as a testament to the city’s ability to attract unique, high-quality brands that cater to its diverse and growing population.
