ABOUT
My name is Christina and I am the Founder and Operations Manager of Café Ettelie. I was originally born in Atlanta, grew up in Seattle and have now relocated to Savannah to bring you Café Ettelie! I am the first-generation daughter to my amazing parents, Mai Trinh and Hoang Vu. Vietnam and the city of Ho Chi Minh—it's a very special place to me; it is where my parents' stories began and why the famous robust cà phê sữa đá remains close to our hearts, as well as to many others. And as life carries on, I also want to honor my Seattle roots by bringing the 'Coffee Capital' to the East Coast. Outside of work, I love to watch all of my favorite films on repeat (90's Disney Originals and Lord of the Rings), bake, and enjoy cuddles with my dogs, Moose and Bobbi!
I was a 20-year-old college student working as a part-time barista. Four years and a Bachelor's Degree later, I landed my first HR position in the same place that kickstarted my coffee career. Now at 30, I am elated to be back and to continue growing in the coffee industry with my family.
Café Ettelie blossomed from my passion for coffee—the aroma, the artistry of brewing, and the heartfelt connections between baristas and customers. This is more than a coffee shop; it's a love letter to my future children—one they can continue writing for their own families one day and if not that, at least a moment in life they'd be proud to look back on.
My goal for Café Ettelie is to simply serve and to build a great community through a cup of espresso. Furthermore, to inspire children to dream big and to reach for success towards their futures. I hope with time, you can come to love little Ettelie as much as I do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
