Spilling the Tea: Chi Cha San Chen to Become Harvard Square’s Fourth Boba Shop

Taiwanese tea chain Chi Cha San Chen plans to open its second Massachusetts storefront at One Brattle Square in late summer — bringing the number of boba shops in Harvard Square to four for the third time in four years.

Since its founding in 1998, the brand has expanded internationally, with stores in Australia, China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Harvard Square shop will be its 29th U.S. location, according to its website.

Harvard Square has seen high turnover among boba shops, including the closures of Möge Tee and Tiger Sugar in 2024. Chi Cha San Chen joins Ten One Tea House, Gong Cha, and Kung Fu Tea as the fourth boba shop in the Square.

The chain’s first Massachusetts storefront opened on Newbury Street in 2025. Master franchisee Andy Liao, who oversees Chi Cha San Chen’s operations in the state, wrote in a statement that Harvard Square’s blend of potential customers made it the “perfect fit” for a new location.

“Harvard Square has a great mix of students, locals, professionals, and visitors,” he wrote. “It’s one of Boston’s most iconic neighborhoods.”

The shop has been two years in the making. Liao wrote that transforming the former Citibank space into a “modern” tea shop has been a “significant investment.” Chi Cha San Chen signed its lease in 2024, but permitting and construction delays pushed back the project. The store received its building permit a few months ago, according to Liao.

Liao wrote that the space would be “modern, clean and welcoming,” with seating and takeout service available.

The store’s emphasis on “tea first,” Liao wrote, differentiates the brand from other shops in the Greater Boston area. On its website, the company highlights its exclusive “teapresso” machine. Each drink is brewed individually, which Liao said creates a “fresher, more consistent flavor” than large-batch tea.

Chi Cha San Chen is one of several businesses to open at One Brattle Square in recent years, alongside ice cream shop Van Leeuwen, Chip City, Daily Provisions, and the new Lebanese bakery About Thyme. The arrivals follow the $81 million acquisition of the space by Boston-based firm Beacon Capital Partners in 2022 after a series of retail closures at the location.

Liao wrote that Chi Cha San Chen hopes to join the Harvard Square Business Association, a local nonprofit that supports hundreds of businesses in the area. The store is also open to collaborating with student groups at the University, including through potential promotions.

Liao wrote that the chain plans to focus on successfully opening its Harvard Square storefront and collecting customer feedback before considering additional locations in New England, though the company is “always interested in opportunities across Massachusetts.”

“We want to see how the community responds and make sure everything is running smoothly before deciding on additional locations,” he wrote.

The company is planning a grand opening in late summer, pending final construction and inspection.

“We hope to introduce customers to Taiwanese tea by focusing on quality and authenticity,” Liao wrote. “Whether it’s someone’s first visit or they’re already familiar with Taiwanese tea, we want them to experience what freshly brewed premium tea tastes like.”

—Crimson summer intern R. Marco Neer contributed reporting.

—Staff writer Theresa F. Bartelme can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at theresabartelme.15. Follow her on X @theresabartelme.