Born out of a love for people and boba tea, George Fox University senior Alvin Lai is launching a new venture, People & Pearls—a Pop-Up Boba Tea business—from 6 – 10 p.m. on April 9, 2024 at Lyrics Café.
“I love people and I love boba,” Lai said. “People & Pearls combines these two loves together with my personal knack for business.”
At 22-years-old, Lai has one business under his belt—a small clothing business ran with a friend during his sophomore year. He said that one lasted about a year, and soon after the idea for a boba tea shop bubbled to the surface.
Support Local Journalism
Stories like this are only possible with support from readers like you! Your contributions go to enabling free, engaging, informative community journalism and the most comprehensive events calendar in the Newberg-Dundee area.
He started working at Lyrics Café once they opened in November 2023, and shared his idea with Lyrics owner and operator Rob Hankins who encouraged Lai to follow his idea—with some guidance.
“I’m proud of all the hard work Alvin has shown and we all wish him nothing but the best,” Hankins said. “I hope Lyrics can continue to be a place where people with drive and passion like Alvin’s can thrive. That’d be a pretty great legacy.”
Hankins followed up and said that it’s not just him, but the whole team who has supported Lai during his entrepreneurial journey.
“It’s a group of people who really revel in each other’s wins for sure,” he said.
Lai said he wanted to work at Lyrics Café because he wanted to see the “birth of a small town community gathering place.” That includes being around a new business owner, who would be willing to show him the ropes and share information.
“Lyrics exists for a few reasons, but the main reason was to serve this community with excellence,” Hankins said. “We’ve worked hard to find staff who feel the same way and it’s a pleasure to be able to set Alvin up to do what he’s passionate about. Everyone deserves a chance and I’m glad to have a chance to play a part in his.”
While People & Pearls is starting in Lyrics, they will not be a fixture at the café. Lai said he’ll have a consistent presence at the Newberg Wednesday Market in 2024 starting on May 1, and is pursuing other festivals and events around Newberg for the summer season.
And then maybe one day growing into something larger.
“My vision is to create a community gathering place that becomes a wealth of connection, creativity, and deliciousness to the community,” Lai said.
But in the meantime, Lai is focusing on figuring out the business and excited to share the first offerings from People & Pearls:
- Strawberry Fields, a matcha latte sweetened with strawberry syrup and served with fresh strawberries.
- Taro Cloud Milk, a creamy and refreshing drink blended with real taro, milk, and coconut cream.
People & Pearls is releasing the rest of the menu on launch night, Lai said, alongside artist Sydney Simmons who will be creating illustrations of people during launch night.
Stay up to day by following the People & Pearls Instagram.
Learn more about the event at Newsberg’s Event Calendar.
Get These Stories First, Right in your Inbox
We send out a FREE weekly newsletter featuring the previous week’s biggest stories, upcoming events, and other local happenings. Our email newsletter is the first to know!
