Southie bubble tea shop gets OK after opposition from pub

• City officials often weigh community input when reviewing changes to commercial districts.

What's happening: The chain tea shop will serve bubble tea, waffles and ice cream with a 20-seat capacity in a newly constructed mixed-use building at 120-126 Emerson Street, near the corner of Broadway.

• Owners wanted to operate from 10am to 11pm but cut back to a 9:30pm closing after the management of neighboring Tom English's Pub raised objections.
• Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy supported the shop but criticized its community outreach.

Zoom in: Nearby businesses say they were left out of the shop's outreach despite standard abutters meetings.

• The shop replaces the former Federico's bike store.
• The project received unanimous board approval after the compromise on the hours.