A new option for boba tea is set to open its doors this weekend in Fairfax City.
The Alley will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11017 Main Street, filling a 1,700-square-foot storefront in Fairfax Junction — formerly known as the Westfair Shopping Center — near the Fairfax Blvd intersection.
The cafe is holding a soft opening this week, gradually unveiling more of its menu each day ahead of the official debut this weekend.
The cafe’s hours during its soft opening are noon to 7 p.m. today (Wednesday) and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow and Friday, Nov. 15.
According to its website, The Alley makes its own sugar cane syrup, whose sweetness it describes as “delicate but never overpowering,” and tapioca that’s freshly prepared so “each bite is unique, satisfying the craving for the perfect taste.”
The Alley’s menu features a variety of drinks, including the popular Brown Sugar Deerioca, milk tea, cold brews, yogurt smoothies and other options. Nearly 40 different beverage options are available, based on the menu from one location.
Founded by Taiwanese graphic designer Mao-ting Chiu in 2015, The Alley currently has 23 locations nationwide, although this will be its first in the D.C. area. The brand is known for its avoidance of artificial syrups and Instagram-friendly drinks, reportedly inspiring customers to wait in six-hour-long lines when it arrived in Japan.
In Fairfax City, it will join an area quickly becoming saturated with boba tea options, as a variety of providers are located within only a few miles of the new storefront.
“We’re thrilled to welcome The Alley to Fairfax City’s Main Street as part of a new wave of unique specialty places for our community to gather,” Fairfax City Economic Development Programs Manager Tara Borwey said. “This addition is sure to enrich our lively local scene, and we can’t wait to see what other exciting spots join us next.”
Two neighboring stores in the shopping center will soon be home to another cafe called Haraz Coffee House, as well as another establishment called “Blazin,” according to signage in the windows of each storefront.
