Students asked and their requests were answered — Lollicup Fresh is finally open on campus! The new boba bar is located in the Centerpointe Dining Commons at the recently opened residence halls. Lollicup Fresh also shares a space with Jones Coffee, so students have plenty of options to choose from, all in one place.
The decision to add Lollicup Fresh was an easy one, because it’s what the students wanted. According to Dining Services Director Aaron Neilson, “We heard that students wanted boba …. We tested the (concept) in front of (the) BSC during U-Hour with other competitors, and the students voted on Lollicup .”
Lollicup Fresh, which opened its first store in San Gabriel in 2000, is a fan favorite among boba lovers. So far, the addition to Cal Poly Pomona seems to be a hit. Students have been lining up to get their boba fix since the store opened on Jan. 21. “Since it’s the first week, I have not yet received any direct feedback, but the activity and buzz at the location certainly indicates success,” Neilson said.
The menu is filled with cult favorites, from Thai tea to honeydew smoothies, taro milk tea and so much more. Add-ons include boba, of course, custard pudding and rainbow jelly, among others.
Senior chemistry major Favian Rodriguez enjoyed his first taro smoothie from Lollicup Fresh, but said he is unsure as to whether the location will be able to keep up with demand. “They have a great product that many have been wanting on campus for a long time, but I don’t think their space can accommodate the demand they will have as people become aware of their establishment on campus,” Rodriguez said.
“I can’t imagine how it would operate when several students want it …. People love boba, and I could see that place easily getting Starbucks-level business …. I think they will have lines out the door, but the kitchen space is too small for the equipment to make several drinks simultaneously.”
(Lauren Bruno | The Poly Post)
For those who may want to skip the busy line, Lollicup Fresh will soon be available on the GrubHub app. Students can easily make purchases in-store or through the app using their meal cards, Bronco Bucks or credit cards.
To mark the opening of the new dining establishments at the residence halls, the Centerpointe Dining Commons will be holding a grand opening event, open to all students, faculty and staff from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 6. Marketing Development Coordinator Arielle Torrez was able to share some of the details of what they have planned for the celebration.
“The grand opening celebration event will … feature a Nintendo Switch giveaway, a DJ, a photo booth, a silhouette artist, a balloon twister, games, free samples and a few other fun things,” she said.
For Lollicup Fresh’s hours of operation, visit http://centerpointedining.com/lollicup-and-jones-coffee/. For hours of all other dining locations on campus, students can visit the dining section of the CPP app, or go to https://foundation.cpp.edu/dining/hours.aspx.
