Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicky Shyr
Hi Vicky, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey Bear Cafe was founded by Jerry Liao, Joyce Kuribayashi and I. We initially started selling bubble-tea in the back of a grocery store (Sunrise Supermarket) – in a space the size of a dressing room behind large display racks. We didn’t have a business plan, regular customer base, nor a proper kitchen, on and off for nearly 7 years. We just knew we wanted to bring something we love to Knoxville – the delicious flavor of bubble tea – and perhaps break a little cultural barrier along the way through high quality ingredients and awesome customer service. The love and support we received from customers encouraged us to stop hiding behind a wall and open an actual store. So here we are!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We opened in September 2019 and initially enjoyed strong business performance, even during the typically slower winter season. However, when COVID-19 struck, we were compelled to close our indoor dining area and kids’ section to prioritize safety. In response, we shifted our focus to offering outdoor seating, complete with pavilions, outdoor heating, and extensive sanitization measures. This allowed our customers to continue enjoying their time with us in a relatively safe manner during this challenging period.
Now, we are facing inflation. The fact that our products are imported from Taiwan has increased our costs, including labor and other expenses.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My partners and I moved to Tennessee from Taiwan, bringing a piece of our culture with us. We loved the taste of boba (or “bubble”) tea—a drink invented in Taiwan—and knew we wanted to share it with Knoxville.
We initially started selling boba tea out of pure love for this favorite childhood drink and a desire to share that part of our culture with the town. We were fortunate to have a wonderful customer base while selling bubble tea at Sunrise Supermarket and wanted to create a dedicated place to better serve our amazing customers.
We are not just a bubble tea shop; we are a bubble tea shop with a 2-acre food truck park. There is plenty of space for families and kids outdoors, including a playground, sandbox, and walking trail. We have rotating food trucks, planned outdoor markets, live music, and events. We also serve coffee and beer.
Now we have two locations, one is our main location at 9036 Middlebrook pike, Knoxville Tn and the second one if at Kern’s Food Hall ; 2201 Kern’s Rising Way, Knoxville, TN 37920.
What were you like growing up?
I am the baby of the family, and let’s just say I’ve always been the mischievous one! Ever since I was little, I have had this unstoppable curiosity and a knack for getting into all kinds of adventures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heybearcafe.com/
- Instagram: @heybearcafe
- Facebook: Hey Bear Cafe
