On Aug. 31, a new boba shop offering a unique twist for North Texas nerds quietly opened in Carrollton, just a 15-minute drive from UTD. Miao distinguishes itself from competitors by wholeheartedly embracing cosplay, anime and local art, creating a late-night haven for these subcultures.
The shop is the brainchild of its owner, known publicly as “Mr. Miao.” He decided to become his own boss on his 21st birthday, seeking an escape from the corporate grind.
“Breaking my back for someone who does not care if I am dead or alive for the rest of my life is not all that appealing to me,” Miao said. “A wage feels like golden handcuffs I was taught to discreetly flex.”
Breaking my back for someone who does not care if I am dead or alive for the rest of my life is not all that appealing to me. A wage feels like golden handcuffs I was taught to discreetly flex.
— Mr. Miao, owner of Miao Carrollton
Upon entering, customers are greeted not just by the smell of brewing tea, but by rows of trinkets and art from local DFW artists. Crochet Sanrio plushies are littered across every shelf. K-pop stickers on chairs and tables help make the shop into a vibrant display that pulls visitors deeper into the space. A chalkboard covered in customer-made art dominates the shop’s interior. Miao wanted to give artists a platform, believing a community hub was the perfect place.
“Artists exist to give humans who don’t know how to properly explain something a visual or a sound cue,” Miao said. “Without artists, we would just be machines.”
The shop’s most distinctive policy is its embrace of cosplay. Any customer who arrives in costume receives a free drink — a reward for their bravery. While other area boba shops may host game nights, Miao Carrollton actively incentivizes and celebrates nerd culture at its core.
“You [cosplayers] encourage others to be weird, and people should be weird,” Miao said. “If people are weird, that’s a good thing because it allows us to be our true self.”
This focus transforms the shop into a mini convention. Miao, who found joy at conventions, wanted to recreate that inclusive atmosphere.
“One of the few times that I walked around with an actual smile on my face was when I was at a convention,” Miao said. “I was just like, why not have something like that here?”
One of the few times that I walked around with an actual smile on my face was when I was at a convention. I was just like, why not have something like that here?
— Mr. Miao, owner of Miao Carrollton
The community focus extends to everyday interactions. Miao and his staff are encouraged to play Jenga or solve puzzles with customers, seeing this connection as a vital part of the service. This is a deliberate shift from Miao’s initial, more profit-driven mindset. He now believes that without this human element, he would face burnout. Miao encourages his workers to talk to everyone and doesn’t see it as them just messing around: he sees it as actual work being done.
“I could have made way more profit the other way, but there’s already plenty of shops doing that,” Miao said. “I’m not here for the money, if I was here for the money, I’d still be an engineer.”
While a grand opening date is not yet set, the shop is already building its reputation during its soft opening hours, which run from early afternoon to 3 a.m. With soft lights and purposefully blank walls waiting for artistic expression, Miao Carrollton is carving out its name in DFW by simply being a safe haven.
“I care more about the community than anything,” Miao said. “When someone else is weird, we can be weird too.”
I care more about the community than anything. When someone else is weird, we can be weird too.
— Mr. Miao, owner of Miao Carrollton
Miao Carrollton is located at 2700 Old Denton Rd Ste 103, Carrollton, TX 75007. It is an approximately 15-minute drive west of campus and accessible via the 232 DART bus westbound.