Audio Transcript: Wake-Up Coffee Brings Vietnamese Culture to Syracuse
Mimi Davis: Wake-Up Coffee starts serving Vietnamese coffee on East Water Street in Downtown Syracuse tomorrow. Syracuse University graduate student, Annaliese Specco, says she just can’t get enough of coffee.
Annaliese Specco: I drink a lot of coffee during the days, so usually two to three cups I’d say.
Davis: Thoi Trang opened New Century, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant, more than 20 years ago. Now, Trang and his daughters Amy and Annie, decided it was time to open something smaller for the new generation. Trang says him and his daughters want Wake-Up to motivate and encourage its customers.
Thoi Trang: We just hope that we can sit down. This is the place that people can come in and walk around and feel good about themselves.
Davis: At the grand opening, customers can expect a dragon dance at 11:11 a.m. to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Wake-Up Coffee is also offering 50% off every order tomorrow. Mimi Davis, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Wake-Up Coffee will open its doors Feb. 17 in downtown Syracuse with a Lunar New Year celebration, introducing Vietnamese coffee, bánh mì and a message of kindness to the community.
The new coffee shop is going to offer popular Vietnamese coffee and food on East Water Street. Syracuse University Graduate student, Annaliese Specco, said she loves Vietnamese coffee.
“I drink a lot of coffee during the days, usually two to three cups. Vietnamese coffee is one of my favorite kinds,” Specco said.
Thoi Trang opened New Century 26 years ago, and the family-run restaurant has been serving authentic Vietnamese food ever since. Trang and his daughters, Amy and Annie, decided it was the right time to open a second family business directed more at the younger generation.
While one purpose behind Wake-Up Coffee is to share authentic Vietnamese coffee and Bahn Mi, a savory sandwich on a baguette, Trang also said he hopes to spread a positive message.
“I hope people don’t just remember Wake-Up because of the coffee,” Trang said. “I hope people remember Wake-Up because of our messages and our kindness.”
Wake-Up Coffee will be another family-owned and operated business for the Trang’s. Treating new employees kindly and like family, helped make New Century so successful, Trang said.
The grand opening, which takes places on the Lunar New Year, will feature a traditional Vietnamese dragon dance at 11:11 a.m., the time to make wishes, according to Annie. Every order will also be 50% off in celebration of their first day open.
Trang and his daughters worked together to open the shop, despite them living in various places in the country.