August 7, 2024
A number of young people have been working with Boston Little Saigon and other partners on an entrepreneurship seminar for their summer jobs. The program’s final piece is introducing a froyo pop-up called Saigon Swirl on Dorchester Avenue over the next three weekends. Photo courtesy Boston Little Saigon
A summer job program for young people in Fields Corner has turned into a summer business venture, as a number of teens have used their summer to learn how to take a business from concept to opening.
The fruits of that labor will be paid in froyo – when they open the new pop-up Saigon Swirl this Saturday (Aug. 10) in the former Reign Drink Lab space at 1370 Dorchester Ave. adjacent to Pho Hoa Restaurant.
“When we closed Reign Drink Lab’s Dorchester location a year ago, we felt like we left a hole in our neighborhood,” said Tam Le, noting that the former drink café moved to South Boston last fall. “It feels amazing to support the Boston youth in their opening of Saigon Swirl in our former space, and it will be exciting to experience their pop-up this summer.”
Added Boston Little Saigon Director Annie Le, “The City of Boston has created amazing youth programs, and we are so appreciative of being able to participate in the Immigrant Youth Advancement Program with Boston Little Saigon. The kids in our program are amazing, and we can’t wait to show everyone what they’ve been working so hard on.”
Operating exclusively for three weekends, this pop up is youth-operated via Boston Little Saigon in collaboration with Pho Hoa and Reign. All profit generated from Saigon Swirl will be donated back to Boston Little Saigon to fund future youth programming.
Saigon Swirl started with the idea of introducing Boston youth to the business world with leadership training and hands-on experience. Fun and creative menu offerings include “The Saigon Swirl,” a combination of Vanilla and Thai tea froyo topped with boba and condensed milk. The pop-up will also be bringing back Reign Drink Lab’s ‘Dark and Stormy.’
Saigon Swirl will be open Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Aug. 25, with the grand opening celebration this coming Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program is made possible through the funding and support of the City of Boston Office of Immigrant Advancement, Pho Hoa/Reign Drink Lab, and the JP Fuji Group. The pop-up will have a presence on Facebook, Instagram, andTikTok.
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