Picnic Cafe
“I believe that a cup of coffee can bring us together, creating a sense of community and providing comfort,” Vi Tran shared. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Vi’s roots in the culinary world run deep. Her family owned a restaurant for two decades, immersing her in the rhythms of the food industry from a young age. “I kind of just grew up in a restaurant and learned some of the ins and outs. I saw how much joy food could bring to people,” she recalled.
Despite this early exposure, Vi initially pursued a different path, attending the University of Utah. However, the confines of a desk job left her yearning for something more fulfilling. “It just wasn’t really for me. I knew I needed to do something that involved people,” she admitted. Seeking a change, Vi returned to her roots, taking a position at Cafe Niche, which marked her re-entry into the restaurant scene. She later joined Oasis Cafe, and then Publik Coffee Roasters where she managed multiple locations over a few years. “That’s where I really flourished in this business,” Vi noted, emphasizing the pivotal role Publik played in her development.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 brought unforeseen challenges. Publik Coffee temporarily closed its doors, distributing perishable goods to employees to support them during the hiatus. “It really meant a lot that they wanted to help take care of the employees,” Vi reflected.
During this period, the owners of Amour Cafe and Amour Spreads, John and Casee, decided to retire, closing their cafe but continuing jam production. Recognizing an opportunity, they approached Vi and her colleague, Carly Lundgren, about taking over the cafe and jam operations. With support from Publik, Vi and Carly reopened the space. “We took over Amour Spreads and the adjoining cafe, which became Picnic Cafe at the beginning of 2022,” Vi recounted.
"We put a lot of heart into this space and Carly created a beautiful food menu while I focused on drinks. We kept the jam production going, doing everything the same way they've always done it: working with farmers, making small batches and using local as much as possible." At the end of 2024, there was a discussion about stopping jam operations and parting ways. Vi had an important decision to make. Either she, too, could pull out and close the cafe, or keep it going on her own. "I mulled it over for quite some time, as I knew how much work was required and I was already exhausted and burned out at times." She credits her amazing team for giving her the courage to continue. "I had such a solid, talented group of people working with me, and Picnic wasn't failing by any means - it just didn't feel right to walk away - especially because of my sweet employees." Transitioning from a partnership, Vi became the sole proprietor of Picnic Cafe in October 2024. "It has been quite a journey, and if I didn’t have my team, I would just shut down. They have done so much to support me.”
Picnic Cafe, located near Liberty Park, has become a cherished spot for locals. It is the perfect place to stop in, grab a drink and a snack, and then head across the street to the park, or simply take a seat on the patio. They make everything in-house: bagels, cookies, brownies, and muffins. She encourages her bakers to experiment: “I just want to let them have fun, where they’re not just making the same focaccia every single day. They can play around with flavors and see what works and what doesn’t.” This spirit of creativity extends to the baristas as well. “We’ve become known for some of our unique seasonal lattes and syrups. It’s always a collaboration,” Vi explained. “I come up with some syrups, my baristas come up with other drinks, and I guide them on how to make recipes work, which I love.” The cafe proudly serves coffee from Publik. "Even if I hadn't worked there, I appreciate that it’s a woman-owned business. The roasting team is fully woman-run, and they just do a lot for so many.”
Beyond its culinary offerings, Picnic Cafe serves as a community hub, hosting pop-ups, workshops, and art events. One such event is the monthly Art Jam. It is held every last Thursday of the month. It is an open forum night where people can come and bring whatever project they are working on, hang out for a couple of hours, and meet other makers. The gatherings attract a diverse group, from fiber artists to writers and jewelers. “It’s open to the public, and whoever wants to come, comes." Vi has her full beer, wine, and coffee bar open, along with snacks. allowing people to work on a project or simply relax and get to meet other people in their community. We have a lot of fun plans for this year – more events, classes, and hopefully extending our hours!”
Reflecting on her journey, Vi shared that it is truly about taking care of others. "Honestly, my passion is people. My employees know that I care about them very much and that I care about the community - a lot.” Being a part of this neighborhood has been a dream come true for Vi. "It’s not just about serving coffee; it’s about creating a space where everyone feels at home.”
