Why resell it… for the third time?

In early December, Diva Cat Thy's mixed rice paper salad stall suddenly became popular again on social media after nearly two years of absence, as the owner decided to reopen for the third time. Previously, the stall had closed twice due to business difficulties.

Diva Cat Thy, the owner of the business, has decided to "start a business" for the third time with a mixed rice paper salad stall.

golden age

Every afternoon, in alley 88/2 Nguyen Khoai Street (District 4, Ho Chi Minh City), Ms. Cat Thy sits in front of her small mixed rice paper salad cart, cheerfully preparing meals for customers. Customers regularly come to eat or buy takeout, and drivers constantly arrive to pick up orders.

Seeing the reporters, the owner warmly welcomed them. Recalling the "golden age" of the past when the business was booming and customers flocked in, lining up in long queues, Ms. Cat Thy said that it was difficult to sit and talk with us like this back then. But those days are gone now.

It was 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit Ho Chi Minh City. Originally a lottery singer, the social distancing measures prevented her from working, so she decided to open a small mixed rice paper salad stall in District 7 to earn some money and avoid feeling too bored.

Thanks to her charming personality and "good timing," as the owner put it, her mixed rice paper salad stall suddenly became a sensation on social media and a phenomenon at the time, attracting a steady stream of customers. From then on, the LGBT owner's business flourished and prospered.

Although it can't compare to its "golden age" of the past, customers still regularly visit and support the restaurant.

[CLIP]: Famous mixed rice paper salad stall in Ho Chi Minh City, owned by an LGBT woman, reopens for the third time...

After more than a year in business, the eatery gradually lost its appeal. She decided to close it temporarily to pursue her passion for lottery singing. Then, in early 2022, she decided to reopen with a larger, more impressive space in District 6. With frequent appearances on social media, YouTube, TikTok, etc., the eatery regained its popularity and maintained its momentum.

"After selling for over a year, I closed the shop again, partly because I missed singing, and partly because the business wasn't doing well anymore. The rent was high, but the revenue wasn't enough, and I wasn't making a profit," she recounted about the closure in mid-2023. Nevertheless, these two "startups" with mixed rice paper snacks have helped Diva Cat Thy achieve a stable life, without having to worry too much about finances .

Netizens complain about high prices, what does the owner say?

After nearly two years away from selling mixed rice paper snacks, Diva Cat Thy said that many regular customers messaged her, saying they missed her snack. "Missing the business," the owner decided to reopen the shop for the third time.

"This time, I've decided not to expand as much as before, just a small space to sell day by day. Of course, it can't compare to how it used to be, but regular customers still come to support me, and I've also gained new customers. Some people have been eating here since I first opened, so I feel happy and content. That's also my motivation to keep going," she expressed.

Each serving of rice paper rolls here contains 15 different ingredients.

The stall is open daily from 2 PM to 10 PM. Here, each portion of rice paper rolls is sold for 30,000 VND, 40,000 VND, or 50,000 VND depending on the customer's needs and choices, and these prices have been maintained since the beginning. However, the owner said she would still sell portions for 20,000 VND or 10,000 VND if customers wanted them.

"Many customers say that the price you charge is high, almost the same as a bowl of pho. What do you think?", when asked by the reporter, the owner confided that her price is reasonable because the cost of raw materials is currently high, and the proportions of ingredients she puts in each serving of rice paper rolls are appropriate for the price.

"Many people might look at the screen and think the portion is small and not worth it. But you can come and experience it in person. Each serving of rice paper rolls we sell here contains 15 different ingredients, all of high quality. For example, this 50,000 VND portion is enough for two people and they still can't finish it," she shared, looking at the two customers who had just arrived at the restaurant.

Mr. Thien Nguyen (26 years old, residing in District 4) said that he has been a regular customer of Diva Cat Thy's rice paper snacks since the early days of selling them, and he really likes the owner's humorous and cheerful personality. That's why when she reopened, he placed an order.

The businesswoman, who belongs to the LGBT community, has gained a lot of attention on social media.

"The ingredients in this rice paper roll are quite good quality, but what I like most is the lime juice. Unlike other places where the lime is squeezed onto the rice paper, here the sauce is a different blend, giving it a unique flavor. The price isn't exactly cheap, but for me, it's reasonable at 40,000 VND," he commented.

Although the number of customers isn't as high as before, Diva Cat Thy says she's satisfied with her current business, as she still receives consistent support from customers. This motivates her to maintain this business alongside her lottery singing career, and she will strive to please customers near and far who come to support her.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/banh-trang-tron-noi-tieng-tphcm-cua-chi-chu-lgbt-vi-sao-ban-lai-lan-3-185241208172550863.htm