Turkish coffee spot Vavela Cafe opened at 440 East McCullough Dr. in University City this month, and there are more locations in the works.
Co-owner Khaled Shamma told What Now Charlotte that the idea came about when he found a coffee shop in Turkey with espresso that he loved. He found the Turkey-based wood-fired coffee roaster — Vavela — and shared that he wanted to bring the concept to the U.S.
Shamma said the idea especially appeals to students who are from different areas of the world.
“There are a lot of students here in the university area who came from all over the world, especially the Middle East, and everyone was asking if it was possible to have a coffee shop with an atmosphere like back home,” Shamma said.
Vavela Cafe serves items like espresso, frappuccinos like the Dubai Chocolate Frappuccino and the Pistachio Frappuccino, pastries and sandwiches. Other offerings include Karak tea and Knafeh, a layered dessert with cheese and syrup.
The 4,500-square-foot space is open late, making it a good spot for remote workers and students.
“The students in Charlotte love it,” Shamma said. “If you come inside the coffee shop, you see students with laptops doing homework, or people working [remotely] come and sit down and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Looking toward the future for the brand, Shamma said they have a few more locations in development, targeting south Charlotte and Uptown as well as a location in Raleigh near North Carolina State University.
Eventually, Shamma hopes to expand the brand to other states across the U.S.
