The popular boba shop expands to Redlands, bringing its community-focused mission and unique drinks to a building with a 127-year history.
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The popular boba shop expands to Redlands, bringing its community-focused mission and unique drinks to a building with a 127-year history.
Redlands-owned Viva La Boba has opened its second location in a historic building once home to one of the city’s earliest pioneers, photographer Elias F. Everitt, who arrived in 1897.
Co-owners Tansu Philips and David Friedman said they were enthusiastic about acquiring the historic building and pleasantly surprised when they learned that throughout the building’s 127-year history, half of that time it had been a café.
“It was so special knowing it has been a café because now I feel like we are just a part of that chain of life,” said Philips.
“We always wanted to open in Redlands,” she added. Philips grew up in Loma Linda, Friedman in Yucaipa, and both graduated from Redlands High School. Her history teacher was Tom Atchley.
“He has an infectious love for Redlands history that I think was passed on to me,” she said, describing herself as a history buff.
At Viva La Boba’s early opening night in Redlands, Dr. Maria Colato, collections manager of Redlands Historic Archives at A. K. Smiley Library, spoke about the building’s history.
With a respect for the building’s original structure, the owners mostly renovated the inside and did not change the layout. The large beams of the bearing walls are visible, as well as a couple of places where the brick wall is exposed. Historic photos and descriptions are part of the décor.
Viva La Boba’s menu reflects the Inland Empire community. For Redlands, that includes a Horchata Milk Tea and a Mangonada with chamoy and tajin.
“The Matchata I created by accident when I was trying to make a matcha, but used horchata instead of milk. It’s very sweet but it works,” Philips said.
Other unique menu items include the Redlands Blossom, Le Sunrise and Le Sunset. The San Bernardino Sling is unique to their other location.
“[Customers] say they love our drinks, but I think what’s more important to me is they feel like a bigger part of their community when they are here,” she said.
Philips has a background in broadcast journalism, she went to film school and worked in casting for CBS.
“But it turns out I hated it,” she said. Her partner Friedman asked if she wanted to open a coffee shop, and Philips replied, “What that community really needs is boba not coffee.”
With Friedman’s business experience in real estate and Philips’ love of boba, they researched and worked on opening the first Viva La Boba in San Bernardino in 2019.
“What’s really happening is [customers] are creating friendships, they are starting business relationships. This is the jumping off point for revitalizing downtown San Bernardino for us,” said Friedman on social media. Building community is achieved by working together with the city, other small businesses and artists to create colorful murals. A mural is also planned for Redlands.
There are several ways that Viva La Boba gives back to the community. “We have a BIPoC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and/or queer artist of the month,” Philips said. As a queer Asian woman, she said representation is important to her. The café invites local artists to display their artwork on a monthly basis. This program will also begin at the Redlands location.
Other initiatives Viva La Boba has been a part of in the past six years include hosting open mic nights, trash cleanup in the community, a free fruit tree giveaway with master gardeners and story time events. Similar activities are planned for Redlands. This past month, Viva La Boba volunteered for the Rochford Foundation to teach local fourth graders to cook at the Burrage Mansion. The business also sponsors local sports teams.
Boba culture originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and has been growing worldwide. Some of Viva La Boba’s ingredients are imported from Taiwan; others - such as the coffee from Lucid Coffee Roasters in Calimesa and baked goods from KC’s Bakeshop - are locally sourced. Next year, the owners are planning a trip to Taiwan to visit their supplier. “We are so excited,” she said. “We’ve been working together for years.”
“Boba culture is more like a late-night thing,” she said. Viva La Boba reflects that by staying open until 10 p.m. “It makes me super happy to see a group of friends come in at 9 p.m.”
During the soft opening weeks, Viva La Boba has seen a steady amount of foot traffic. A grand opening and extended hours are planned for March.
When Philips is not handing boba teas over the counter, you can find her doing comedy performances in Los Angeles or with a four-person improv group: Pulp Fictional. They perform sometimes at Artlands in Redlands.
Address: 501 Orange Street, Redlands
Email address: hello@vivalaboba.com
Social media: @vivalaboba
Soft opening hours: Thursday through Saturday 2 – 10 p.m. Sunday 12 – 8 p.m.
The extensive menu features milk teas, fruit tea, slushies, smoothies, cold brew coffee, baked goods, breakfast items and in the future lunch items like salads and sandwiches to go. Price: $5 - $10.
History of 501 Orange Street in Downtown Redlands:
1898-1923 Elias F. Everitt, photographer
1923-1924 William N. Kline, photographer
1924 H. E. Edson, real estate
1925-1926 Acme Paint and Wall Paper Store
1926-1933 Woll’s Café
1933-1959 Sam’s Café
1959 Jim’s Café
1960-1974 Sam’s Café
1975-1990 Kay’s Café
1993-2018 BANNED Skate Shop (celebrated 25 years in business in 2018 and moved to an industrial warehouse on 1200 Arizona St B5, Redlands)
2018-2023 Building is vacant
2023-2025 Remodeling begins to convert skate shop back to a café
2025- Viva La Boba opens!
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