Did you know David Jacob designs interiors as well?!

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

Designing a space is a unique opportunity to show guests who your brand truly is.  From restaurants that take customers to a new World, to retail spaces that take guests on a curated journey, great commercial design is pleasing and solves problems.   Well designed spaces are one of the most important investments allowing guests to establish a quick emotional attachment to the brand.  Likewise, well designed private spaces reflect the personality, uniqueness, quality function and creativity of the owner.

boba

boba is one of the most popular restaurants in the L/A area of Maine, offering guests hungry for high quality food with amazing flavor profiles, fast and easily.  In 2012 David Jacob helped launch the brand to its current success. Heres how we did it!

boba was established in Lewiston, ME, as the areas first Asian Bistro, offering quality ingredients, traditional, and local flavors in an open space.

A Southeast Asian Oasis in Maine

The obvious initial hurdle to the rented space was its attachment to a gas station.  The former tenant was a pizza shop, with a counter facing the interior of the gas station, and the entire space being a kitchen.

Though the client intended a similar approach, with perhaps a recessed counter to accommodate a small table, to us the solution much more dramatic was obvious.

Lewiston is a busy and urban small city.  The exchange of commerce, the people, the exhaust of engines, pedestrians, the noise.  How would a small Asian Bistro startup get their unique message out to the masses?  For the answer you had to look deeper

Customers needed a place to escape from the hustle and bustle in a fun and unique way.  In a sea of low quality Chinese buffets in the community, boba wanted to offer the highest quality recipes with the most flavor, in a transparent and intimate way.

We designed a space inspired by small Japanese restaurants that allow minimal seating, and a front row seat to the culinary process.

Customers would be drawn both from the gas station and a private entrance to color, smiles, fragrant aromas, and only six seats at a long counter facing a small open kitchen.

A busy take-out counter was added for an easy meal at home or office, and for those diners unlucky enough to arrive just after the most recent table counter of guests took the last available seats. This was how it tuned out.

 

 

 

   

Most countries in Southeast Asia offer small dining intimate experiences, and so too would Lewiston. It’s fun, compelling and quite amazing to watch your food being prepared feet away from your. When available, the limited seating would allow guests to enjoy undivided attention from the Chef in a small group, offering a compelling flashback to days long gone in the West, and some serious exclusivity.

 

The Grand Opening

A perfect little oasis on a busy city street is amazing, but how would people know boba existed?  Well, we would tell them!  A full on campaign in the press inviting local Bates College students, healthcare workers, lawyers, workers, locals, families, banners ads and reviews, all relaying their new neighbor.  The community responded with overwhelming support, and has never ceased. The firsts reviews were outstanding!!

 

 

Where are they now?!

Head chef Zach Pratt was on Chopped, [lamb slam episode with Martha Stuart] and placed second.  His fans were thrilled. They added a team and expanded.  He graced the stage of 207 as well for a tasty street food tutorial.

boba moved into its current space next to the Court House in downtown Lewiston, ME, and we could not be prouder.  They have an amazing following and we are honestly not surprised.

Though we were unavailable for the design of the latest space, the team nailed the 3rd and largest iteration. Many tables, lots of window seating and the old classic front row view to all the action wrapping the open kitchen.

David Jacob helped nonetheless with a solid metal boba sign in steel for the bar.

Say hello, or learn more @ bobamaine.com

 

If you are looking for our thoughts on your space, let’s chat.

How can we help your space perform?!