The new Gong Cha outpost has officially opened at 27 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.
This is the ninth Manhattan outpost for Gong Cha, which describes itself as "one of the most recognized bubble tea brands around the world" ... which got its start in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
This block of St. Mark's has seen a variety of bubble tea come and go through the recent years... some still in business (Kung Fu Tea right across the street).... and some not (Mi Tea). And there's more on the way for the northwest corner of Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place.
This storefront had been vacant since Lab -320° closed in late 2016 after six months of selling ice cream. The previous longtime tenant here, The Sock Man, closed in January 2016 after a reported rent hike via (now former) landlord Raphael Toledano.
Sock Man owner Marty Rosen later opened a new location at 99 1/2 St. Mark's Place ... where he remains today.
Added:
There was previously a Gong Cha location on 14th Street.
Photo by Steven
