A new Happy Lemon tea shop will open in the Fubonn Shopping Center within the next few months. The former insurance agency storefront at 2850 SE 82nd Avenue, Suite 8, will transform into a brightly colored tea and bubble waffle restaurant offering dine-in tables and counter service. When it opens, it will be the fourth store in the Portland Metro area and the only location on the east side of the Willamette River.
Happy Lemon franchise owner Jian Xu became a fan of the brand after discovering their Bridgeport Village location during a search for flavors from Xu’s childhood. “Lemon tea is one of the most popular drinks in China because it’s tasty and refreshing. Growing up in China, my friends and I would always grab a lemon tea after school. The drink would make us feel energized and cool us down in the hot weather. When I moved here, I couldn’t find good lemon tea until I found out about Happy Lemon,” explained Xu. In addition to its Fresh Lemon line of tea flavors, Happy Lemon is known for its Salted Cheese tea and hexagon-shaped bubble waffles. The company also features classic milk tea with boba variants.
Since 2006, Happy Lemon has grown its network of franchise locations across Taiwan, Mainland China, and Hong Kong. By 2014, they expanded globally with stores in 21 countries, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Dubai, and the United States. Xu decided to open this new Happy Lemon at Fubonn because it is centrally located and well-known by the community. “I want to bring it closer and share it with everyone here in Portland,” remarked Xu.
The new Happy Lemon sits in an externally accessed storefront to the right of the main Fubonn entrance. Xu expects to open by late April. However, it is still under construction, and buildout delays could shift that date. When ready, the Fubonn Happy Lemon location will greet guests daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Expect to see updates about the official opening date in April.
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