A Tale of Tea, Community, and Heart in Walnut Creek

The Story of Love & Harmony

     "People are the most beautiful scenery — not just poetry and dreams."
In the charming city of Walnut Creek, California, there is a small bubble tea shop that embodies this sentiment. Tucked away on Broadway, Li Cha Tea has become more than just a store—it is a living landscape of love and harmony, connecting people one cup at a time.

From Taiwan to the World

    In recent years, Taiwan has captured global attention with its booming semiconductor industry, often hailed as the "Taiwan Miracle." But long before chips made headlines, Taiwan gave the world another miracle: Boba tea. This delightful beverage has blossomed into a global cultural icon—joining tea and coffee as a cherished daily ritual for millions.

Where There's Love, There's Compassion

    Walnut Creek, a serene town with about 60,000 residents, lies just 25 minutes from UC Berkeley. Amid its tree-lined streets, diverse eateries, and bustling weekend shoppers, a small bubble tea shop quietly opened its doors in early 2019—just before the COVID-19 pandemic would change everything. The shop’s first owner, a young single mother, had a dream: to share her love of Boba tea and build a business. But despite her dedication, the store struggled. Lacking resources to even update the signboard, she hung a simple canvas sign and soldiered on through illness, exhaustion, and financial hardship. At a community gathering, Echo learned of her story. Touched by the young mother's perseverance, Echo Chang decided to help. Drawing on the Li cha tea brand, she aimed to turn the business around. But then—the world shut down.

A Crisis and a Calling

    As COVID-19 swept the globe, businesses shuttered and lives were upended. Plans to close the struggling shop seemed inevitable. But when other partners stepped away, Echo and her husband Tony chose to step in. With no experience in food service, the couple—an engineer from Taiwan's high-tech industry and a former airline station manager—suddenly found themselves running a bubble tea shop. They questioned: Was this fate’s blessing—or the start of a nightmare?

Faith Over Fear

    The shop's location was far from ideal, hidden beside a city landmark fountain but away from main foot traffic. In those early days, business was slow and hope seemed scarce. Echo always said “Since we’re here, let’s give it our all.” She printed a verse on their loyalty cards: “Blessed shall you be when you go in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” With each cup, she offered warmth, conversation, and sincere blessings—unintentionally planting the seeds of community.

Love is Giving

    During the height of the pandemic, shelter-in-place orders limited outings to essential needs. One day, a U.S. Air Force soldier was stopped by the National Guard on his way to the shop. When asked why he was out, he answered firmly: “Li Cha Boba tea is a necessity for me. I want to support this small business.” Another story: an elderly couple passed by the store during their 6-mile daily walks. Dr. Conner discovered she and Echo shared a love of flowers. She began delivering a small floral arrangement every Friday. That vase still sits on the shop’s counter, a quiet symbol of shared beauty.

One World, One Family

    When indoor dining was banned, Echo set up outdoor seating with a red parasol. Dr. Conner donated four green parasols and chairs and petitioned the city to allow a public seating area with planted roses. Inspired by Parisian cafés, she dreamed of recreating that communal magic in Walnut Creek. Though the city initially rejected the idea, Dr. Conner persisted. Just as Echo prepared to remove the seats, the city reversed its decision—thanks to Dr. Conner’s tireless advocacy. Sadly, in early 2023, Dr. Conner passed away. But months later, in a beautiful coincidence, the city planted a rose garden where her vision had once been denied—on the anniversary of her passing. The seeds of “love and harmony” they had both sown were now in bloom.

A Living Community

    Today, Li Cha Tea is more than a store. It’s a community hub. Under the shade of red and green parasols and beside a blooming rose garden, teachers, doctors, lawyers, students, dog-walkers, cyclists, and travelers gather. Customers have come from all over the world—Taiwan, France, India, Sweden, Singapore, Canada, Shanghai, Los Angeles, DC, and more—drawn not just by the drinks, but by the warmth. Echo still insists on handing every cup of Boba tea to customers with both hands—a gesture of gratitude and connection. She prefers conversation over kiosks. She believes this store, born in hardship, should remain a place of peace, comfort, and sincere interaction.  “Li Cha Tea comes from Taiwan, is rooted in the U.S., and now hopes to spread to the world,” Echo says. “More than tea, we want to share love and harmony wherever we go.”

If You Ever Visit Walnut Creek…

    If one day you visit this picturesque town, be sure to stop by the little shop by the fountain. Amid red parasols and rose gardens, you’ll find more than a drink—you may just experience a small miracle, a cup of warmth, and a taste of Love & Harmony.