Today we’d like to introduce you to Yana G.
Hi Yana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We officially opened Symphony Coffeehouse in 2022, just as things were beginning to settle down after the height of COVID. Opening a coffee shop had been something our family had talked about for a long time because we wanted to build something together that could also be a positive part of our community.
The name “Symphony” came from the picture we had in our minds of an orchestra. On its own, every instrument has its own sound, and sometimes it can even seem a little chaotic while everyone is warming up. But when everything comes together, it creates something beautiful.
That’s how we think about a coffee shop.
When you walk into Symphony, you’re surrounded by all kinds of little moments happening at once. You hear the espresso machine steaming milk, cups clinking together, conversations between friends, kids laughing, people working on their laptops, and families catching up over breakfast. Individually they’re just everyday sounds, but together they become the soundtrack of a community!
That’s what we wanted Symphony to be. A place where people from all walks of life can come together, slow down for a little while, and be part of something bigger than themselves. There’s something really special about watching strangers become regulars, regulars become friends, and seeing families make memories here. To us, that’s the real symphony, and it’s what inspired our name from the very beginning.
The owners, Alla and Daniel, are my parents, and each of us brought something different to the table. We all have some business history so we felt that although nothing like we have done before, we had background to begin the journey. it was especially the community specific aspect combined with the coffee that felt so right, and motivated us to pursue the coffeeshop. We decided it was the right time to finally turn the idea into something real. We all genuinely love coffee, but even more than that, we love bringing people together. This was a big joy for all of us from the start.
Starting a business from the ground up was a much bigger undertaking than we ever imagined. Every day brought something new to learn, whether it was running operations, creating new drinks, hiring a team, or simply figuring out how to best serve our customers. Like any small business, we’ve had our share of challenges, but we’ve also had so many moments that reminded us why we started in the first place.
One of the best parts has been getting to know the people who walk through our doors. We’ve met families who stop in every weekend, students who study here for hours, and customers who have become friends over the years. Those relationships have shaped who we are just as much as the coffee has.
Looking back, opening Symphony wasn’t just about starting a business. It was about creating a place where people feel welcome, where families can spend time together, and where our own family could work side by side doing something we truly enjoy. It’s taken a lot of hard work, teamwork, and listening to our community, and we’re grateful for every person who has been part of that journey. We adore each day of new laughs, and continued friendships.
We also greatly enjoy the art of the food and drinks we serve. It is something we are extremely passionate about and have been working to perfect and better since we opened.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any small business owner would say it’s been a completely smooth road, and we’re no exception. Opening in 2022, just as the community was finding its footing after COVID, came with a lot of uncertainty. People were craving connection again, but everyone was still adjusting to a new normal, and we were learning right alongside them.
Although we had experience in business, running a neighborhood coffee shop was a completely different experience. It’s such a people-centered business, and there was a learning curve that you can only get through by being there every day. We spent a lot of time learning how to build a great team, train employees well, create a consistent experience for our customers, and adapt as the coffee industry and the economy continued to change.
Of course there were difficult days, but every challenge pushed us to grow. We learned to listen to our customers, ask for feedback, and make changes that truly reflected what our community wanted. Looking back, those lessons have become some of our greatest strengths. They’ve helped shape Symphony into the welcoming place we hoped it would become, and we’re still learning and improving every day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One thing we’re especially proud of is that we don’t take shortcuts when it comes to what we serve. Every drink recipe has been handcrafted by our team, and every food item has gone through a lot of testing before it ever makes it onto the menu. We’ll make something over and over again until we all agree it’s exactly how we want our customers to experience it.
Our quiches have become one of our signature items. They take hours to prepare, but we think that extra care makes all the difference. Our paninis are another favorite, and we love creating seasonal specials that put a fresh twist on familiar flavors or introduce people to something they may not have tried before.
The creative side of the coffee shop is one of our favorite parts. We enjoy experimenting with new recipes, practicing latte art, and making each drink feel special from the moment it’s handed across the counter. We want people to enjoy it with their eyes before they even take the first sip.
What really keeps us inspired is the people who come through our doors. Some of our favorite menu ideas have started as conversations with customers or brainstorming sessions with our employees. We love hearing suggestions, trying new ideas together, and creating a menu that continues to grow with our community.
More than anything, we’re proud that people know they can walk into Symphony and expect food and drinks that were made with care. We hope every customer can taste the time, creativity, and heart that goes into what we do.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think people are becoming much more intentional about where they spend their time and money. Coffee shops aren’t just places to grab a quick drink anymore. They’re becoming places where people work, meet friends, study, celebrate milestones, or simply take a break from a busy day. I think that desire for genuine connection is only going to continue growing over the next several years. We see the yearning for a steady availability of third places becoming more common.
At the same time, customers are becoming more interested in quality. They want handcrafted drinks, fresh food, and businesses that genuinely care about the experience they’re creating. I think people appreciate knowing the story behind the places they support and enjoy building relationships with local businesses.
Creatively, I think we’ll continue to see new flavors, seasonal offerings, and unique menu items that keep people excited to come back and try something different. That’s one of the things we enjoy most because it gives us the opportunity to keep learning and creating.
The coffee industry is in an interesting place right now. Coffee prices and supply have become much more unpredictable, so there’s definitely some uncertainty about what the next few years will look like. Like many small businesses, we’ve had to learn how to adapt while still providing the quality our customers expect. Even with those challenges, we believe people will always value a great cup of coffee and a place where they feel welcome, and that’s what we’ll continue to focus on.
No matter how the industry changes, I hope there will always be a place for local coffee shops that focus on people first. Trends will come and go, but creating a welcoming space, serving great food and coffee, and building relationships with your community will never go out of style. That’s the kind of coffee shop we hope Symphony continues to be for many years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://symphonycoffeehouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symphonycoffeehouse/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/symphonycoffeehouse/
