FIRST SIP
Buzzy boba chain Candy Cloud opens first Texas shop in San Antonio

Candy Cloud offers boba tea, milkshakes, coffee drinks, and more.
Rapidly expanding beverage chain Candy Cloud is making its Texas debut in San Antonio. The Illinois-based franchise, known for its unique “canned-to-order” teas, lemonades, and lattes, will celebrate its grand opening at 11619 Bandera Rd. #106 from June 26.
The opening comes after months of anticipation. In late February, Candy Cloud submitted state regulatory paperwork detailing its plans to renovate a former frame shop into a new quick service cafe. Although the chain has far-flung outposts in Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio, most of its stores are clustered in Illinois and Wisconsin.
According to company lore, founders Paityn and Alex Edwards started their entrepreneurial journey after an unimaginable tragedy — the death of their young daughter. Finding comfort in the flower arrangements sent by loved ones, they eventually started a small floral business, Evelyn's Acre, named after their lost child.
The Edwardses soon shifted focus to cotton candy, launching Candy Cloud in 2019. But it wasn’t until they added drinks to the menu that the business really took off. The couple stumbled upon an empty boba shop and opened their first brick-and-mortar in 2022.
Candy Cloud’s drinks run the gamut of international beverage trends from brown sugar shaken breves and horchata to boba-filled lemonades and caffeinated refreshers. The main innovation is that each order is sealed in a pop-top plastic “can” for easy portability.
The shop also offers a few dessert options like cake pops and shakes. The latter takes a cue from baked goods, mixing up flavors like birthday cake, cookie butter, and dirt pie. Limited edition flavors are introduced on a monthly basis. In June, the lineup includes a frosted animal cookie shake, coconut hibiscus lemonade, and a s’mores latte.
The first 50 guests to arrive at 11619 Bandera Rd. #106 on June 26 will receive a $10 voucher to use for future purchases. The shop will be open from noon-10 pm that day, but has not yet divulged its permanent opening hours.