Bubble Tea Shop Seeks Approval

A bubble tea shop is seeking zoning approval to open at 1357 Wisconsin Ave. The shop is called Taichi Bubble Tea, and it would be one of a little over a dozen such shops nationwide.

According to the restaurant’s website:

First opened in 2015, has been growing across the United States. We hope to bring the best bubble tea, healthy poke bowl, and tasty ramen to people from all over the world. In the meanwhile, we strive to provide a place for people to connect with family and friends while enjoying the delicious drink and food.

It would seem odd that a restaurant would be required to get zoning approval to open on Wisconsin Ave. But it’s necessary because fast food restaurants are actually not permitted in Georgetown without a special exception. This dates to the mid 1980s when the city was afraid of neighborhoods like Georgetown getting overrun with McDonald’s et al. What counts as a fast food restaurant has come under debate over the years, especially with the rise of the fast casual restaurant. But GM doesn’t anticipate this establishment running into much trouble.