Image courtesy of White
The Turkish Coffee Lady, Gizem Salcigil White
A new coffeehouse, Turkish Coffee Lady, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, Jan. 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. at 1001 King St.
The new coffeeshop takes the place of Blüprint Chocolatiers, which closed in 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Coffee shop owner Gizem White, a Turkish American entrepreneur who has traveled the world with a coffee truck, said she is proud to open her first-brick-and-mortar store in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. White noted that she is also joining forces with a world-renowned "micro art" master, Hasan Kale, who will showcase his work at the coffee shop.
Creating an authentic gathering space for coffee lovers, Turkish Coffee Lady will provide traditional Turkish coffee styles, baklava selections, a mini bazaar and vintage goods from Istanbul, Turkey, where coffeehouse culture has flourished since 1554.
“Turkish coffee is the world’s first coffee brewing method invented by Turks in the 16th century, and is the genesis of nearly all coffee types around the world, White noted. "Our coffee and culture house is a new take on the specialty coffee experience combined with a timeless journey to Istanbul where East meets West.”
A Virginia resident since 2008, White started her Turkish Coffee Truck project in 2012 to share her passion for her heritage and build friendships between societies. Through her "gastro-cultural diplomacy" initiative, White and a group of dedicated volunteers traveled across America, Turkey, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Canada over the past 10 years.
“Turkish coffee culture is recognized by UNESCO’s World Heritage list as a cultural inheritance that should be protected," White said. "That’s why I am so excited to share this five-centuries old ritual and cultural delights with my adopted country. I am thrilled to share Turkey’s culinary traditions and our coffee blends featuring Turkey’s national treasures."
The new store’s menu is not limited to Turkish coffee products. Guests can also enjoy Colombian filtered coffee, traditional Turkish tea, herbal teas, gourmet baklava varieties, salty and sweet treats, chocolate assortments and ice-cream products. In addition, coffee and tea sets by brands from Istanbul will also be available for purchase.
