Facing Market Street, just up from the bustling Keira Street intersection in Wollongong, sits a small little shop, with a big heart, bold ideas and exciting flavours that you may not yet have tried. For almost 10 years, owner Jae Park has been operating the store, which now has an almost cult following amongst bubble tea and frozen yoghurt fans of all ages.
Bubbleberry Frozen Yoghurt and Bubble Tea is a hub of exciting treats; frozen yoghurts with all the trimmings, bubble teas served in the cutest plastic jars you ever saw, mochi bites, Korean hotdogs and an intriguing range of K-pop merchandise.
“We always knew Jae would make this little shop a true destination”, said Head of Commercial Asset Management at MMJ Wollongong, Tracy Preston. “When Jae purchased the business, from then Clique Brothers Frozen Yoghurt Shop, his application to take on the lease was the most impressive I had seen in all my years in retail property”.
A tertiary graduate of the International College of Hotel Management and holder of Diplomas from the Swiss Hotel Association and Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine, Jae’s highly accomplished hospitality background was just the first step in creating such a daring and successful retail store.
“Jae’s business is groundbreaking”, said Miss Preston. “His decision to start the business was backed by a sound business plan. From the outset, Jae planned to bring something new and exciting to Wollongong and every year he surprises us with the wonderful new things he brings to the market.
Jae brought all the elements of a great retail store alive in his vision. He has an excellent high-quality product that none of his competitors offer, he offers an outstanding customer service experience, and he brings a sense of theatre and joy to his patrons with every visit. “Though times have not always been easy, Bubbleberry has ridden the waves of consumer pattern change and now, a substantial part of the business is supported through on-line food delivery models.
“It’s hard to believe”, said Property Manager Alicia Misios “that home delivery platforms were not even a concept when Bubbleberry opened its doors, yet Jae has adapted his business so well to meet the needs of his customers”.
“Bubbleberry exhibits all the things that are great about small space retailing”, said Miss Preston, “it’s the magic of discovering a favourite little destination, that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the day and invites you to dwell in a moment created just for joy”.
Bubbleberry is a Wollongong must visit.