A café designed to look good in Instagram photos will soon open in Auckland.
Gong Cha is a Taiwanese drink chain best known for serving bubble and boba tea.
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Its new Takapuna store will open its doors on Hurtstmere Rd in late July, hoping to attract young social media users with its promise of the perfect spot for a selfie.
Customers will be able to sit on a swing set against a backdrop of one of Gong Cha's real tea fields, and will be encouraged to take photos on the swing. There will also be "interactive sets" that people can pose in front of.
Sam Elliot from interior design specialist Spaceworks, who led the café design team, says the swing will make for a memorable experience for customers.
"Creating a unique area within the store like this, with the company's own particular brand logo, is a great way of allowing customers to enjoy their visit, while also providing something different and eye-catching that makes a great photo, as well as telling the company's story."
Spaceworks commercial director Bradley Keys says the design for Gong Cha Takapuna is "fresh, clean and bright", perfectly suited for photography.
"The look is very clean and minimal, with a space within a space where customers can take photos and share them with their friends."
'Instagrammable' spaces in cafés and shops are common in Asia, and are increasingly popular with young people who take their social media-posting seriously.
Gong Cha Takapuna is the first of five new stores set to open in New Zealand in 2018. There are already four outlets in Auckland.
Gong Cha New Zealand manager Marcus Teh says the company has been inspired by its customers to "think outside of the box".
"We want customers to feel welcomed and comfortable in our stores while treating themselves to their favourite bubble tea or dessert. We want our customers to share a good time with their friends and family just at Gong Cha."
Mr Teh says Gong Cha is the fastest-growing tea brand in this part of the world, opening 1500 stores since launching in 2006.
It also has more than 600 outlets in the US, South East Asia and Australia.
Newshub.
