When in need of a new hangout spot near campus or somewhere to get a quick treat, look no further than BoCo Boba. Run by sisters Lily and Luci Clark, BoCo Boba started as a table at farmers markets before evolving into a mobile truck last May. Now it has a brick-and-mortar location in the Grand Center Arts District, where it had its soft-opening on Feb. 27, 2026.
BoCo Boba stands out with its bright and colorful style. The exterior includes signs for its main attractions: boba, the book nook and the mochi market. Lily Clark said she had specific desires for the store’s design.
“I like these colors, like the Barbie pastel dream house,” Clark said. “I just like that our spaces are really open and bright. It’s kind of like an escape.”
BoCo Boba’s menu includes milk teas, fruit teas, juice refreshers and desserts. BoCo Boba lets customers adjust the sweetness of drinks and already has their default sweetness level lower than most Boba shops. Instead of using three-in-one powder like some other cafes, they prioritize using ingredients like milk and fresh fruit that require less sugar.
BoCo Boba also hopes to do boba flights in the future, both for sampling flavors and for trying varying sweetness levels. The shop has plans to expand its drink menu in the future to include slushies, coffees and more flavors.
BoCo Boba’s cafe features a book nook that functions as a little library where customers can read any book for free while in the store. Customers can even take a book as long as it is exchanged with one of their own books. Clark said she enjoyed the community aspect of the nook.
“We really like the concept of the little free library that could be a free amenity for the community,” Clark said. “We have the apartments above us, and it’s full of writers and full of people that want to go somewhere and do something.”
Another addition at the new location is the mochi market. Back when BoCo was solely a mobile truck, they would have retail shelves available to sell keepsakes such as keychains and pins.
Now, they are taking this to the next level by adding an entire market area dedicated to goods and trinkets at the new location. The mochi market is still under development, but the Clarks anticipate its opening by the end of March.
In addition to the drink menu, BoCo Boba offers various desserts as part of their collaboration with Selma’s Treats, a fellow small business that BoCo previously worked alongside at farmers markets.
“Selma’s uses real ingredients, so nothing artificial, no dyes, no additives. She bakes everything fresh. She puts a European twist on most of her treats,” Clark said.
Another perk of this new cafe is its closeness to SLU’s campus. Located near the Fox Theater, it also makes for a great spot to go before seeing a show.
“It’s in walking distance, it’s kind of like a quaint cafe situation, rather than the [City] Foundry, which is more of a busier attraction for tourists and for people outside of SLU,” Clark said. “This is more of a quieter area.”
Sophomore nursing major Sabrina Olivieri-Martinez said they enjoyed their visit to the cafe.
“I like that it’s so close to campus, I don’t have to worry about finding or paying for parking to go there,” Olivieri-Martinez said. “[The cafe has] lots of natural light. [It’s] very cute, and I love the seating and tables they have. Prices are very good too, especially for the size.”
BoCo looks forward to future collaborations with SLU. Clark said she has been in contact with some of the fraternities and sororities about potential profit shares.
BoCo has plenty to offer even for those who have never tried boba before. Clark highlighted its variety.
“Coming to see the space is its own experience, and you have to do it at least once. Especially because we want to make this space even more vibrant, more unique and add more variety,” Clark said. “But that only happens when you have consistent traffic coming through and supporting.”
BoCo Boba is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, right at the corner of Olive Street and Grand Boulevard. You can also find them at the Tower Groves Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the summer season starting in April. They currently offer a 10% discount for SLU students.
For more information about BoCo Boba, you can find them on Instagram @bo.coboba.
