Sean Metzinger had one goal: to bring something most people in Stillwater had never heard of and make it the new taste sensation.
Metzinger graduated from Oklahoma State University in May with a degree in hotel restaurant management. Going through college, he said he had one goal in mind, to open his own business.
“I never wanted to work for anyone else,” he said.
So when a place was up for lease, he jumped at the opportunity. After many months of renovations, Da Bubble was open for business. Da Bubble has been open for a week and can be found at 209 S. Knoblock, right by College Ink.
The menu’s star beverage is bubble tea, which hails from Taiwan and is very popular in Asian countries and California. Bubble tea shops are scattered throughout Oklahoma, but the tea is still unheard of among most students.
“I have never heard of bubble tea, but I would try it,” said Jenni Koon, a nutritional sciences sophomore.
Bubble tea is a tea or milk drink that can be served hot or cold. The term “bubble” comes from the black gummy balls made of tapioca, sometimes referred to as “pearls.”
Da Bubble serves bubble tea by having a tea base of green, black or Tai tea. Many flavors are available, including passion fruit, peppermint, peach or even lavender.
Once the flavoring has been added, it is mixed with ice and the finishing touch, the bubbles.
Bubble tea can also be made by adding jellies instead of the tapioca pearls. Da Bubble offers coconut, green apple and pineapple jellies. Metzinger gets his bubble supply from Hawaii and his flavorings from China and Japan.
“I have tried bubble tea, and it was interesting to say the least,” said Colby Wedel, an accounting junior.
Da Bubble’s prices are also student friendly. One can enjoy a large bubble tea for $3.50. But that’s not the only drink on the menu. If bubble tea seems too scary, students can still enjoy smoothies or frozen coffee. The next flavoring selection to be added to the menu is Italian soda.
Metzinger hopes to add baked goods as a selection soon.
“I am going to talk to Red Rock about having me re-sell their baked goods,” he said. “I am also getting new flavors of bubbles like cotton candy.” He is in the process of getting boosters, shots of vitamin or energy supplements, on the menu as well.
Metzinger’s focus is getting his new business known to the public.
“This past game day, we had a lot of people come in, but some are still hesitant to try a new product,” he said.
Da Bubble is the only purely bubble tea shop in Stillwater. In the future, Metzinger hopes to expand his business in Stillwater by having a bigger shop.
Metzinger said he is planning events to intrigue students to stop in. The Ben Hayes band will play jazz music Friday. The time is still to be announced.
On Oct. 12, Da Bubble will host a Halo 3 tournament. Anyone may participate with a $5 donation, which will go to Stillwater’s Habitat for Humanity.
Now that his store is up and running, Metzinger said he would like to add some more décor.
“I would like to have more art like photography and paintings on the walls,” he said.
Only two employees besides Metzinger work but in the future positions will be available.
“I need someone to either work mornings or nights, and I would prefer HRAD majors because I know this would be good experience for them,” he said.
Students brave enough to take a chance on the bubbles can stop by 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
“I always say there are no bad flavors, just bad flavor combinations,” Metzinger said.
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