New late-night Turkish coffee shop opens in University City
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A Turkish coffee shop called Vavela Cafe recently opened in University City.
Why it matters: University City doesn't have many locally-owned coffee shops. Vavela Cafe will fill that void with international treats, extended hours and plenty of seating for remote working.
Background: While visiting Istanbul, brothers Khaled and Naser Shamma discovered the Turkish coffee brand Vavela, which roasts its coffee over a wood fire.
- They decided to bring Vavela to North Carolina and opened the cafe on Feb. 14.
Dig in: In addition to traditional Turkish coffee, the menu has a list of frappuccinos and refreshers, plus paninis, pastries, desserts, salads and fruit salads.
The vibe: The 4,500 square foot space seats up to 220 people in its massive dining room and on its balcony.
Stop by: Find Vavela Coffee at 440 E McCullough Dr., on the second floor of McCullough Commons, above Mike's Vegan Grill.
- It's open Sunday through Thursday, 9am-midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 9am-1am. Eventually, it'll be open until 2am daily.
What's next: Khaled and Naser plan to open two more locations, including another one in Charlotte and another in The Triangle.
The big picture: University City is in its transformation era, with notable planned developments on the way.
- The University City Regional Library opened earlier this month.
My thought bubble: We're beginning to see new openings that hint at the neighborhood's growth potential.
Take a look around:
