In 2012, Duyên Nguyễn emigrated from Vietnam to Syracuse and found her first job washing dishes at a downtown tea shop.

Now Nguyễn plans to open her own tea lounge in the same space at 108 E. Washington St.

“I learned so much here, so this place is special to me,” Nguyễn said.

The new place will be called Tea House by Cake Bar . That’s a reference to Nguyễn’s other businesses, the Cake Bar stand at Salt City Market and its spinoff, the Cake Bar cafe at 252 W. Genesee St.

The Tea House will features a variety of teas, baked goods, and, eventually, Asian-inspired cocktails and mocktails. There will be tables and comfortable seating for lounging.

When it opens in October, Nguyễn will juggle three places, plus a new kitchen where she will make her baked goods.

“It all started here,

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