Lily’s Coffee, Tea & Bread is gearing up for serious growth, starting with a second location along Walton Way Extension.
Lily Nguyen operated the eatery as a food truck for nearly five years before opening its first brick-and-mortar iteration on Laney Walker Boulevard in 2022, drawing on decades of her family’s and her own experience to offer authentic Vietnamese street cuisine to Augusta.
With a menu that incorporates elements from Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese and Singaporean fare — from traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches with teriyaki sauce to a wide assortment of boba teas — the restaurant has proven popular enough over the last three years to inspire Nguyen to consider increasing its presence.
“We want to expand the business, we want to develop,” said Nguyen, who is already in the process of setting up a new shop at 3626 Walton Way Ext., in the space that formerly housed Roly Poly Sandwiches.
Nguyen had already aimed to open more locations, such as in Grovetown or Evans though had not yet tried to find space in Columbia County as there are currently several Vietnamese and Thai food shops in the area.
Vietnamese coffee has proven a popular mainstay for the business, attracting regulars, Nguyen says, from nearby medical offices who suggested the Walton Way Ext. space to her.
“We also want to bring to the people here our coffee culture,” she said, noting that Vietnam is the world’s second largest coffee producer, behind Brazil. The second spot will offer visitors reasons to sit a stay a while beyond lunch, such as chess, books to read and even a guitar to play; as well as more sweet treats on the menu for kids.
The new location could also kickstart even greater growth for the restaurant, as Nguyen is in the early stages of offering franchise opportunities.
Lily Coffee, Tea & Bread is located at 1378 Laney Walker Blvd.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
