A longstanding Atlanta tea shop is planning its first expansion. Husband-and-wife team Douglas Hines and Mei Lin are planning to bring Honey Bubble Tea to 935 Memorial Drive in Madison Yards, with plans to open in the 2,000-square-foot space in mid-November.
Hines and Mei opened the first Honey Bubble Tea location along Ponce de Leon Avenue 12 years ago. Hines told What Now Atlanta that having multiple stores in the area was an idea they had since the inception of Honey Bubble Tea. When revisiting the idea of expansion more recently, the two were interested in finding a Beltline location. Then, the Madison Yards location materialized and they felt it would be a good fit for the brand.
The space will feature sleek, modern design elements characteristic of the Honey Bubble Tea brand. It will also share the space with a new concept, Mama Lin’s Chicken Delight, that Hines and Lin are cooking up for the area.
The space will primarily be take-out focused but will have some seating on-site as well.
Hines and Lin are also behind fine-dining restaurant The Consulate in Midtown, which they opened nine years ago. That restaurant speaks to their philosophy as restaurateurs — rather than focusing solely on the moneymaking aspect of the business, they focus on balance and on responding to opportunities as they come. The Consulate is open five days a week for dinner only, and they take week-long winter and summer breaks to give themselves and their staff time to recharge.
Hines and Lin approach Honey Bubble Tea with the same attitude, focusing on serving the community rather than solely looking at the bottom line.
“We’re driven by enjoying what we do as opposed to money being the motivator,” Hines told What Now Atlanta.
Eventually, Honey Bubble Tea might expand to further locations. But for now, Hines and Lin are content with seeing where this new expansion takes them.
