March 5, 2024

A new drink shop in Brandon capitalizes on its location across the street from Brandon Valley High School and teens’ tastes for boba drinks.

It’s the second location for 9999 Boba, which opened in 2022 in Sioux Falls.

Owner Johnny Phathaem said he worked at the former Pace Manufacturing for 10 years, so he’s familiar with the community.

“I knew the opportunity out here would be good, especially right across from the high school,” Phathaem said. “They don’t have anything like it out here.”

9999 Boba, which opened in mid-February, serves milk and fruit teas in a variety of flavors with bursting boba and jelly pearls that can be added. The drinks originated in Taiwan.

Popular options include Berry Bussin’ for fruit tea and Tiger Brown Sugar for milk tea, Phathaem said.

“Another hot one out here is Unicorn Crunch. That’s a taro and strawberry milk tea smoothie with whipped cream and candy crunch.”

Phathaem said he enjoys creating new combinations as specials because “there’s no limit to what you can do.”

He created a drink similar to Better Than Sex Cake called Holy Moly. It’s a chocolate smoothie topped with whipped cream, Heath candy bar bits and caramel and salted chocolate syrups.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, but hours likely will go later when Daylight Saving Time starts this weekend and possibly earlier when school is out for summer, Phathaem said.

He’s also considering adding ice cream to the menu for boba sundaes.

9999 Boba is at 1302 E. Rushmore Drive just west of the Brandon Steakhouse.