EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Brothers born in El Paso moved back home to open an inclusive new social spot where everyone is welcomed.
David and Ruben Ramos are brothers and owners of a new boba shop in El Paso, called World Boba and Coffee located on 2500 N. Mesa St. near UTEP. The shop is coming up on its second anniversary.
Left to right: Ruben Ramos and David Ramos, owners of World Boba and Coffee. Photo taken by Jocelyn Flores/KTSM
Both brothers moved from El Paso to live in California for 30 years. When they came back home, they asked the big question: What now?
“We were deciding to either get jobs and buy houses or do something different. This was a perfect opportunity. It’s a now-or-never kind of situation, so we decided let’s do it, a boba and coffee shop,” David Ramos said.
Boba is another name for bubble tea and it originates from Vietnam.
“One of the things we noticed is most boba shops, you don’t really see adults spending time or hanging out, like a cafe. One of the things we did was make our shop look like a cafe, where any age can enjoy,” Ruben Ramos said..
The brothers emphasized that no matter who comes into their shop, they can grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere; the boba-coffee combo became their niche in the competitive drink area with a Starbucks and/or Dutch Bros opening on every corner.
“We’re family-oriented and it works perfectly because you have parents coming in with their kids. The majority of the time, kids are the ones that love boba and the parents want the coffee. We actually got a lot of compliments for that business model, so it’s worked out for us,” David Ramos said.
World Boba and Coffee shop. Photo taken by Jocelyn Flores/KTSM
The word “world” plays a big part of the boba shop’s identity, in how they can bring different flavors from around the globe. Their tagline “The World in a Cup” symbolizes the techniques and authentic ways to make certain drinks taste like home.
Another way “world” contributes to the identity of “World Boba and Coffee” is the inclusivity they want to bring to the community. The shop’s walls are decorated with art from local artists and doodles made on napkins thumbtacked in a corkboard. Trinkets of famous movies and TV shows are sprinkled throughout the shop, some items brought in by regulars.
There’s even a dedicated wall for residents in the community who are law enforcement, first responders and military to always be remembered by.
“Our customers really have contributed to how we’ve evolved. Everything appears to be customer-based now, because customers have ideas, say ‘We like this or this’ and why not? Let’s incorporate it and people really do respond to it and respond positively,” David Rmos.
“Every shop that you go into, it looks the same in January as it does in December and it looks the same as it did five years ago. We thought that the building should have a personality, so that when you walked in everyday, there was something a little different. The building has a life and the way it came about was, for example, evolving from just a blank wall to having El Paso artists exchanging their art every four weeks,” Ruben Ramos.
The brothers are open to anyone having their events being held at their shop, from K-pop dances groups to political group meetings.
“Part of our mission statement is that we would give back as much as we would received. We reach out and try to support, even just from going and attending some events that customers invite us to, to having fundraisers for different organizations. We’re very proud. We’re one of the sponsors at the ‘Alzheimer’s Walk at the Zoo,'” Ruben said
Boba drink in front of “The Window to the World” at World Boba and Coffee. Photo taken by Jocelyn Flores/KTSM
Although the brothers work seven days a week and have overcame difficulties in opening a business, they’re happy.
“We found that happiness is a state of mine and how you live your life. It’s a better life, striving for something great than to live everyday not having any goals,” Ruben Ramos added.
Information: (915) 257-1188 or at their website here.
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