TAMPA, Fla. – Nestled amidst the bustling streets of Tampa, “Boba by the Bay” stands out as a mobile drink truck with a unique offering. Rather than the conventional fare, this innovative venture specializes in serving up delectable boba milk teas and freshly squeezed lemonade from its compact yet eye-catching Honda Acty van.
Veronica Bowles, co-owner of Boba by the Bay, notes the surging popularity of boba beverages, with numerous storefronts catering to the trend. However, she emphasizes the scarcity of mobile trucks offering this beloved beverage option. “Boba is really popular right now. There are lots of storefronts that sell it, but not a lot of mobile trucks,” she remarks.
Both Bowles and her business partner, Daniel Passman, share a common background as Marine Corps veterans, bringing a unique perspective to their entrepreneurial endeavor.
“We both came to Tampa in 2011 to start working at Special Operations Command at MacDill, and both of us just fell in love with the area,” Passman reflects on their journey.
Following their departure from defense work, the duo harbored aspirations of launching a small business in the area. Thus, Boba by the Bay was conceived, reflecting their shared passion for entrepreneurship and community engagement.
“It’s hard to stress out about lemonade and boba tea, you know?” Bowles chuckles, contrasting the relaxed atmosphere of their current venture with the high-stakes nature of their previous careers. “Versus something where peoples’ lives could be on the line, so it’s definitely much more chill.”
