Boba Korner owners celebrate the business’s first anniversary with a ceremonial ribbon cutting alongside Fontana Chamber of Commerce representatives, local officials and community members on Aug. 27. The family-owned business, located at 8436 Sierra Ave., grew from a mobile trailer serving local farmers markets into a permanent Fontana storefront. / IVN Photo by Aldon Stiles

Fontana, CA — What began as a small trailer at local farmers markets has grown into a brick-and-mortar business with several employees, as Boba Korner celebrated its first year at its Sierra Avenue location last Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Fontana Chamber of Commerce hosted the ceremony Aug. 27 at 8436 Sierra Ave., bringing together business owners, elected officials, Chamber representatives and community members to celebrate the family-owned business.

Boba Korner co-owner David Sorensen told attendees that he and his wife moved to the area about six years ago after previously working in Hollywood.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their careers, Sorensen said that they began looking for a way to build a business while raising their children.

“I was a stay-at-home dad, and I was like, ‘You know what, I don’t want to go back to that. Let’s figure something out,’” Sorensen said.

The couple had always wanted to open a restaurant, but without experience in the industry, Sorensen said they decided to start smaller.

“We figured drinks, boba, and the whole nine,” Sorensen said.

The couple began operating a trailer and attending farmers markets.

Sorensen said he joined the Fontana Chamber of Commerce and later attended a Chamber business summit, where he told the city’s economic development office that they were looking for a permanent location.

“And we said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for a place,’” Sorensen said. “And she pointed across and she was like, ‘Hey, we can get you in there.’”

The business eventually moved into its current location, which Sorensen said was built out between May and June before opening in August 2025.

“We’ve just been networking and going through the chamber and the school districts with a lot of fundraisers,” Sorensen said. “Overwhelming sometimes, definitely tough with the kids all summer. We’re going to drag them here every day, but we make it work.”

Sorensen credited the city and the Chamber with helping the business navigate the transition from a mobile operation to a permanent storefront.

“The city has helped us immensely,” Sorensen said.

The business has also developed relationships with neighboring businesses and become part of the area’s developing commercial district.

Sorensen said he recently learned that Boba Korner is located within Fontana’s Forge District, which is undergoing redevelopment.

“We have a parking garage, we have apartments, we have restaurants coming in,” Sorensen said. “So we knew to get this place before it was too popular, that we could make a name for ourselves.”

Sorensen said the business now employs six people, marking a significant change from its beginnings as a husband-and-wife operation.

Fontana Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danielle Holley said the ceremony was intended to recognize the significance of Boba Korner’s first year in business.

“This is what it’s all about, bringing our community together to celebrate milestones like this,” Holley said.

Holley emphasized the Chamber’s long history of supporting businesses in Fontana.

“We’re proud of that,” Holley said of the Chamber’s membership and business community. “We’ve been serving our business community for the last 112 years.”

The ceremony also highlighted Boba Korner’s participation in community events, including the Taste of Fontana and State of the City.

Holley praised the owners for their involvement and their determination during the difficult early years of operating a new business.

“You guys have the great determination to make it happen,” Holley said.

Sorensen said the support from the business community was especially important because neither he nor his wife had previous experience operating this type of business.

“We have no experience in this type of thing, so it was really helpful to learn from other people,” Sorensen said.

The ceremony concluded with certificates of recognition presented to Boba Korner, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon outside the building.