New Uptown cafe, store celebrating Asian culture opens this week
When Angie Lee moved from New York City to Minneapolis two years ago, she was told it would take years for the global trends emerging from Asia to catch on here.
But, in a world connected by social media, online retail, streaming platforms and more, she didn't think that assumption made sense.
K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty out of Korea; boba from Taiwan; matcha from Japan - These aren't just 'Asian trends', Lee told Bring Me The News in a Q&A in January. 'These are global phenomena reshaping culture.'
At Moona Moono in Minneapolis, which officially opens Saturday, Lee aims to deliver the latest Asian designs to Minneapolis as quickly as they're embraced in cities such as Los Angeles and New York City.
'It's about giving people here the chance to discover and enjoy these exciting trends firsthand,' Lee said.
The brand new business in Uptown's former Paper Source space blends a cafe with a carefully curated retail experience.
Moona Moono's website, which directs shoppers to an array of other local shops and restaurants, says the destination is part of 'a new wave of locally owned businesses that are helping Uptown reclaim its legacy as a vibrant heart of Minneapolis.'
The retail side of Moona Moono offers a wide range of home goods, stationary, K-beauty and accessories that are influence by Asian trends or are made by Asian and Asian American makers, according to Lee.
Blind boxes, in which buyers purchase a small box without knowing which figurine will be discovered inside, are likely to be a bestseller at Moona Moono.
The collectibles, which have exploded in popularity in Minnesota and across the U.S., are among the whimsical trinkets tied to the Japanese design philosophy Kawaii, which centers cute and playful design.
"For those encountering Kawaii for the first time, it might seem like it's just for kids," Lee shared. "But adults often find joy in the simplicity and humor of Kawaii items. It's a delightful aesthetic that sparks a sense of wonder no matter your age."
The seek, light-filled cafe at Moona Moono offers espresso, ceremonial-grade matcha, boba drinks and other beverages, as well as a range of snacks.
To celebrate opening day, the cafe will also be offering two exclusive doughnut flavors made in collaboration with Bogart's Doughnut Co.
Moona Moono will have a soft opening Thursday ahead of Saturday's grand opening at 10 a.m. Regular hours will be Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Read Bring Me The News' complete Q&A with Moona Moono owner Angie Lee here:
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