An SUV crashed into a Houston boba shop named Boba Bird moments before it was due to open on a recent weekday morning, leading to a temporary closure as the owner and employees face the aftermath. The incident, captured on surveillance footage, resulted in significant damage to the storefront but thankfully did not cause any serious injuries. According to a statement obtained by Click2Houston, the crash happened at 9:54 a.m., just prior to the scheduled opening time.
Peter Phan, who saw his dream turn upside down in seconds, opened Boba Bird over a year ago. With a location near J. Frank Dobie High School quickly came to serve as a community hub for local students. Phan described the damage as "super devastating," but in the wake of the crash, he conveyed optimism about rebuilding and gratitude for the community's support. "Have to hold [my] head high in times like this. I can’t spend time moping, especially…[when] I have all my employees looking up to me," Phan told Click2Houston.
The Harris County Precinct 2 Constable's Office responded to the scene, and while the SUV was towed away, no serious injuries were reported. The occupants, an elderly couple, were visibly shaken but unharmed and were later driven home by relatives. The outpouring of community support has already become apparent, with loyal customers flooding the shop's social media with encouraging messages, expressing relief that no one was seriously hurt.
Meanwhile, Phan is tasked with working with his insurance company to assess the damage and plan for the necessary repairs to get Boba Bird back on its feet. In an interview with KHOU, Phan said, "I don’t try to stress about things I can’t control or fix." He also added, "All we can do is move on from this." While his employees, including Fynnlan Ridge, were unharmed, they expressed sorrow over the state of the shop post-accident, with Ridge adding, "It just sucks. I love this place. I want this place to do well."
No timeline has been provided for when Boba Bird will be able to resume operations, but the sentiment among the employees and the owner remains hopeful. The community has rallied around the shop, eager for its reopening, and Peter Phan is determined to see Boba Bird soar once again. "We’ll get through this," he told Click2Houston, "Boba Bird is the word….We’ll be back.."
