New bubble tea concept in the Plaza planning to open once stay-at-home order is lifted

Bruú Café plans to be one of the first new shops to open in Kansas City once the shelter-in-place order is lifted.

It is taking a spot at 4709 Central St. on the Country Club Plaza.

Bay Vanithbuncha of Overland Park is a franchisee of a Thailand-based chain that operates 25 bubble tea shops in Asia under different names.

Her cafe will offer a variety of bubble teas using house-made tapioca pearls, as well as green tea and flavored teas.

Vanithbuncha originally planned to open mid-May, but was delayed by the shutdown due to the novel coronavirus crisis. Construction workers couldn’t keep a safe distance from each other because the space is small. The Thailand franchise team, which was set to fly in to help the start-up, couldn’t travel.

She hopes to start hiring by May — four full-time and two part-time employees — and open in June.

“The Plaza is the hot spot for Kansas City,” Vanithbuncha said.

Jet Couture had long operated in the space, just south of Shake Shack. Unique Finds had a pop-up in the space for the holidays.