Introducing: Laya Hurd
Size of the Big Top
1) Asian Americans Are Not a Monolith
"Every dish we serve at Sweet Rice Flour is more than just food; it’s my family memoir. Each dish is an opportunity for me to showcase Laotian people, culture, cuisines and desserts. "
In the bustling landscape of Denver’s specialty coffee scene, Tí Cafe stands as a vibrant anomaly. Located on South Broadway, the shop is more than a caffeine pitstop. At the helm are three sisters—Sashaline, Shominic, and Shasitie Nguyen—who have successfully translated their Vietnamese-American heritage into one of the city’s most influential community hubs. A Shared Vision Rooted in Identity The genesis of Tí Cafe was not a sudden pivot but a slow-brewing realization. Growing up as the daughters of Vietnamese immigrants, the sisters were raised in a household where entrepreneurship was the primary language of survival and success. By 2006, after relocating to Denver, they noticed a stark lack of cultural visibility for Asian Americans in the mile high area. “Tí Cafe began as a shared dream rooted in representation and identity,” the sisters explained. “As Vietnamese-American sisters raised by entrepreneurial parents, we always imagined creating something purposeful together. The idea of separating at adulthood felt almost alien.” Before the cafe, the three were building distinct careers. Sashaline, 36, was navigating the high-stakes world of craft cocktails as a lead bartender at Welton Room. Shominic, 31, was established as a Creative Director for a Breckenridge-based brand studio, and Shasitie, 27, was honing her expertise in networking and brand experience as a personal stylist. Despite their individual successes, the pull of a unified legacy was stronger. They chose to consolidate their diverse skill sets into a single, formidable vision. The Power of Three: Roles and Realities The sisters have categorized their roles into three essential pillars: the Dreamer, the Organizer, and the Fixer. The Dreamer (Shominic): Serving as the Creative and Brand Content Director, Shominic is the architect of the “vibe.” Her background in UI/UX and design allows her to conceptualize menu themes and visual storytelling inspired by art and anime. She ensures that the customer experience is not just transactional, but imaginative. The Organizer (Shasitie): Every visionary needs a pragmatist. Shasitie is the operational backbone. She creates the systems, manages logistics, and oversees the scheduling that allows a small, family-run business to function with the efficiency of a major corporation. The Fixer (Sashaline): Occupying the “eldest sister” role both literally and figuratively, Sashaline is the primary problem-solver. Whether it’s a technical hiccup behind the bar or a complex business negotiation, her adaptability and level-headedness keep the ship steady during the inevitable storms of small business ownership. “Even though we’re sisters, we’re three very different people,” they noted. “That dynamic of creativity, structure, and adaptability is the reason we can carry such heavy workloads and still stay motivated.”
Metro Pie Pizza is a new fast casual brick oven pizza concept inspired by the nostalgic energy of Old School Hong Kong metro culture. Founded by husband and wife team Ricky and Anna Choi, alongside their daughter Alice Choi (owner of the newly opened Red Bus Coffee), Metro Pie Pizza brings a thoughtful and unexpected take on a familiar favorite. Designed as a neighborhood pizza spot where guests can grab a quick bite or settle in and stay awhile, the concept fills a noticeable gap in Lakewood, offering something approachable, culturally inspired, and community driven. The menu at Metro Pie Pizza is built for repeat visits and everyday dining. Guests can choose from build your own pizzas, to a curated lineup of signature pies, and rotating specialty pizzas inspired by Asian flavors.