Stop for boba and vibes at Quickly Manteca!
Quickly decorates for the Spooky season of Halloween while working hard to attend to the students of Manteca High on October 23rd, 2025. (Kyra La Barrera Marquez/The Tower)
By KYRA DE LA BARRERA MARQUEZ
The Tower
MANTECA – The line outside Quickly Manteca starts forming before the lunch bell even rings. Students spill out of Manteca High, eager to get a taste of freshly brewed tea and delicious food. This boba shop has become a popular hangout spot, a quick stop for a good time, and a place where you always see a familiar face.
The Tower interviewed the owner of Quickly to get some insight into the food business and the community surrounding Manteca High. Students line up at the door every day and they always keep coming back and why.
You could ask any regular person who goes to Quickly often but asking the source of the business allows for a new perspective. A perspective that comes right from the people behind the counter.
“The most rewarding part is seeing our customers enjoy our products,” said Quickly manager Reu Noel. “Knowing that we have become a part of people’s daily routine and the non-stop support from the students at MHS is what is most fulfilling for us.”
Quickly Manteca opened with more than just a business plan in mind. It was a leap of faith and a chance to build something for the community.
“An opportunity was presented to us, and we took the leap forward to experience what it was like owning a boba shop,” Noel said. “It was more than just the drinks, we have built a community around us and were able to provide a space for everyone to come hang out and enjoy our products.”
Quickly is serving spooky drinks to the students of Manteca High. (Kyra La Barrera Marquez/The Tower)
The location, just steps away from Manteca High, wasn’t chosen by accident. The shop was built to be convenient for students to grab a drink, share laughs with friends or just take a break.
A day at Quickly starts early, long before the first student arrives. Employees prepare tea, cook boba, prep food, and make sure everything is clean and ready. With a small team of four to five employees plus the owners, everyone plays a significant role in keeping things running smoothly.
“When hiring, we look for people that are willing to learn new things, can adapt to any environment, and bring a great attitude,” Noel said.
And the community has responded. Students are a big part of Quickly’s daily rush, especially at lunchtime. Noel mentioned having slow days but always seeing familiar faces brought joy.
Quickly has also made an effort to give back to the school community. Recently, the shop partnered with Manteca High’s reading intervention program, pledging ten gift cards each month. They are excited to be a part of Manteca Unified like Tracy Unified
Even with long lines and busy lunch rushes, the shop team handles challenges with teamwork and preparation. Everyone is assigned a task, and they must work together to get orders out quickly while keeping the quality and customer service high.
What makes Quickly stand out isn’t just the drinks, it’s the atmosphere. The team focuses on fresh ingredients, new flavors, and creating a warm, welcoming space.
“It feels very family-oriented,” said one employee. “It creates a warm, welcoming space, and everyone’s nice.”
The lunch rush can be hectic, but employees say that once the crowd clears, the vibe is calm and relaxed.
“The most challenging part of the job is the lunch rush because everybody is coming in at once,” an employee said. “But after that, it’s smooth sailing.”
For students, Quickly has become more than a shop. It’s where they come to unwind after a tough test, celebrate with friends, or just enjoy a sweet drink. For the people behind the counter, it’s a dream that has turned into a community hub.
As Noel put it best, “Seeing our customers happy and knowing we’re part of their everyday lives makes all the hard work worth it.”