Today we’d like to introduce you to Thao Pham.
Hi Thao, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Buttercoop is named after our son, Cooper. At home we call him Cục Bơ, Vietnamese for “block of butter,” a nickname that sounds a lot like “Cooper.” Butter + Coop became Buttercoop.
We started in 2021 as a small pop-up, baking Asian-inspired treats rooted in our family’s flavors. Today, from our tiny Bethany kitchen, we make Korean Garlic Buns, artisan scones, and specialty cookies for our neighbors and Portland’s favorite cafés.
In March 2027, we’re opening our second location at Beaverton Town Center, with more space to bake and more room to share. Every batch is still made with the same warmth as the name: family first, and plenty of butter.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not always, but we’ve been incredibly lucky. Our community and customers have shown up for us from day one, and that support keeps us going. The hardest part is the juggle: we’re raising two kids and both working full-time jobs while running the bakery. Most of Buttercoop happens early mornings, late nights, and weekends. It’s exhausting some days, but every time a customer tells us our garlic buns made their week, it reminds us why we do it.
Want it more polished for press, or more casual for social media?
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
“I work in commercial real estate, specializing in underwriting. It’s demanding work that takes a lot of time away from my family.”
What makes you happy?
Seeing my sons light up when they eat something I baked at home. That joy is where Buttercoop started, and it still reminds me why I bake. The other is watching customers become friends. People who first came in for a cookie now stop by to share news about their lives, and some have been with us since our pop-up days. That sense of community makes all the late nights worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.buttercoopbakery.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/buttercoopbakery
