Where else would the first bubble tea lounge in Virginia set up shop but in Oregon Hill? The TT Lounge, at 705 Cary Street, opened in September and is already becoming a popular hangout. Serving over 70 drinks, including fruit slushes, coffee, and flavored teas, the lounge specializes in "bubble tea", a drink made popular in Taiwan and then in the trendier places in the US. The sweet flavored tea comes with tapioca balls made from the cassava root. They are soft, sweet, chewy balls that are sucked through a thick straw. "It's like nothing else," said customer David Dickman as he slurped his drink.

The lounge is especially a hit with students, who come from nearby dorms to do homework at one of the many tables. "You can go to a coffee shop anytime, but this is different," said Kit Bailes. "It's new and interesting."

The brightly painted cement block walls and bare bones tables and chairs have a rough urban feel that adds to the appeal for many of the customers, who are looking for something different from the usual polished Starbucks experience. Open until 10 pm seven days a week, the lounge is now another place to visit along Cary. So now you don't have to go to San Francisco or New York to try the latest thing.