A local boba cafe has opened a new location as the sole vendor at Lawrence Transit’s Central Station.
Boba & Beyond celebrated its soft opening this week at the bus station that’s situated near the University of Kansas at Bob Billings Parkway and Crestline Drive.
Owner Amrutha Ravikumar said she feels a sense of responsibility in the achievement.
“It was an incredible opportunity for me, and especially because the city is trusting me and asked me to represent the community here,” Ravikumar said. “That is a huge impact on my entrepreneurship, that they are envisioning the good growth here. This is giving me an opportunity to serve the community as well.”
Lawrence Transit opened the station in January 2024, and later that year, the city released requests for proposals to permanently fill the area nestled in the corner of the building.
A longtime Lawrence entrepreneur, Ravikumar has owned Boba & Beyond in the Sunset West Shopping Center for nearly a year and Cosmos Indian Store & Cafe two doors down for more than a decade.
She said she values Lawrence’s diversity most.
“This is not just going to be a business, it’s going to be a cultural hub for people to gather and exchange cultures,” Ravikumar said. “Being in Lawrence, it’s a wonderful experience to be here in this city.”
As its name would imply, the cafe provides more than flavored teas with tapioca pearls. Other beverages include coffee drinks, Italian cream sodas and soda floats, and smoothies.
Ravikumar said beyond her team’s expertise in Indian cuisine, she’s recently been exploring more South Asian cuisine. Samosas and curry puffs are currently served along with chips, nuts, macaroons and other snacks and desserts.
She said she plans to offer breakfast sandwiches, muffins and croissants when universities resume in the fall and hopes to draw in students and staff — and anyone who wants a treat on their commute.
Boba & Beyond is currently open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays inside the Central Station, 2315 Bob Billings Parkway.
The grand opening, which Ravikumar said will lead to expanded hours and menus, is set for Thursday, July 17. The exact time is to be determined.
Boba & Beyond’s main location at 3115 W. Sixth St. Suite F is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
