Golden Tiger Tea in Massillon focuses on bubble tea drinks, Thai coffee, matcha lattes

MASSILLON – Maverick Sales hopes to cash in on the bubble tea boom by opening the city's first, dedicated tea shop in the heart of downtown.

Golden Tiger Tea opens its doors at 11 a.m. today at 115 Lincoln Way W in the former home of Charmed Again decoration and restoration shop.

Sales, who owns the shop, said he likes his historic, downtown business location and — for a long time — has wanted to buy into his hometown. He spent his early years growing up in Massillon, and as a teenager moved with his family to Plain Township.

"I really wanted to invest in the community I grew up in," said Sales, 28, a 2013 graduate of GlenOak High School, about his new business. "It makes sense for what I'm doing."

Sales is running Golden Tiger with his sister, Mayci Sales, 24, who graduated from Tuslaw High School and later played basketball at Walsh University.

Mayci Sales works as the shop's general manager, joining one other employee on the staff.

What is bubble tea, or boba tea?

Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, bubble tea (or boba) shops have been popping up across the U.S. over the past decade and gaining more momentum locally in more recent years, Maverick said.

Bubble tea, also known as black-pearl tea, is mixed with milk or fruit and topped off with chewy tapioca pearls. It can be consumed as a coffee, soda or smoothie.

Vantage Market Research, a Washington, D.C.-based research company, reported earlier this year that the global bubble tea market was valued at $2.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to hit $4.2 billion by 2028.

"One of the primary elements fostering a favorable outlook for the market is the significant increase in the food and beverage sector worldwide," the company said. "Additionally, increased health consciousness among the populace and growing knowledge of the advantages of regular bubble tea intake are fueling market expansion."

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With a passion for bubble tea and tigers, Sales said combining the two into a business model made good sense.

"I've been a big fan of boba tea for a while," said Sales, who wants to open additional Golden Tiger Tea shops within Northeast Ohio down the road. "After four or five years, I finally got here."

Golden Tiger Tea in Massillon offers more than beverage service

Sales said he also has a strong interest in shoes and fashion.

So in addition to offering tea, coffee and fresh milk matcha lattes at Golden Tiger, Sales is selling Jordan brand Nike shoes and Adidas shoes at the shop.

The business also offers drink cups, thermoses, snack food and small decorative items for sale.

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Drinks come in two sizes at Golden Tiger, costing $4.95 or $5.95.

The business is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. It's closed on Monday.

David Maley, Massillon's economic development director, called Golden Tiger's opening a positive impact for the city's downtown.

"This is another unique business coming to downtown," Maley said. "That equates to more people coming to our area."

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Maverick Sales opens Golden Tiger Tea shop in downtown Massillon