From Dorm Room toCampus Empire
What started as one student's desire for a taste of home and his dream to change campus dining himself became something much bigger. This is the story of 2nd Heaven.
The Vision
Leighton, a Binghamton University student from NYC, missed the vibrant food scene from home. Seeing the same frustration among friends, he spotted an opportunity in campus dining and pitched a new concept to Binghamton Dining Services.
The Bid
Determined to bring bubble tea to campus, Leighton spent 2.5 years refining recipes and pitching his concept to Binghamton University Dining Services. His persistence paid off when they offered him a spot in the retail food court after graduation—bringing his vision to life.
The Launch
What began as free samples for friends quickly became a campus phenomenon. On opening day—September 1, 2021—lines stretched through the food court at Binghamton University, making 2nd Heaven an instant hit.
2nd Heaven's Development
The Dream
A Binghamton student, tired of missing tastes of home dreams of something better for campus dining.
Launches at Farmers Market
Blackwood launches 2nd Heaven at the local Broome County Farmers market, serving his first customers while refining his operational vision.
First Store Opens
2nd Heaven opens its doors. A line of students excited for their first taste of bubble tea snaked out the building for days.
First Menu Expansion
Buoyed by overwhelming student support, the 2nd Heaven team expanded the menu to include unique flavors like matcha, horchata, and ube—some of our top-performing beverages.
Cortland
2nd Heaven's success expands to Cortland University, where a limited menu is served to the campus body at Bookmark Cafe.
Pastries
With over 200,000 drinks served, 2nd Heaven has expanded its Binghamton menu to include freshly baked pastries, making the shop a beloved campus café—perfect for anything from a bubble tea to a flaky croissant.
Leighton Blackwood
Founder & CEO
A Binghamton University alum who turned a campus craving into 2nd Heaven. What started as late-night recipe experiments in his apartment has grown into a beloved campus boba destination—driven by his relentless creativity and vision for every item on the menu. Blackwood brings experience in marketing and sales and currently serves on the board of the Broome County Arts Council.
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