A new specialty coffee and tea shop is just days away from opening in downtown St. Pete. Daycation will make its debut next week, bringing crafted drinks with a touch of Asian influence to 189 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.

Signage is up and owner Rachel Zhang has been putting the finishing touches on the interior of the new spot, which is situated just north of Central Avenue next to the popular Venezuelan restaurant 11 Chicks Yummy Creations.

Upon arriving, customers will be greeted by a dancing Frenchie which adorns the front door, painted by local St. Pete artist Jeff Williams of Sun Signs.

“He’s our mascot,” Zhang said with a smile in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “When I lived in Los Angeles, I would always take my baby Dango with me to get coffee. He's my little coffee buddy.”

Clocking in at a whopping 494 square feet, Daycation is not a big space, but Zhang has done a masterful job making the space feel open through thoughtful design.

A single table and a few chairs sit in one corner of the shop and bar seating for three is situated on the other side. Outdoor seating will also be available.

The star of Daycation’s coffee offerings will be their Asian-inspired signature drinks. In addition to around five year-round offerings, seasonal drinks will also rotate through the menu.

“For me, drinking a cup of coffee or tea is more than a caffeine boost, it’s an experience,” said Zhang. “It might remind you of a place or a memory. That’s how I want my customers to feel when they take the first sip of our drinks, and this is also why I named the shop Daycation.”

One of Daycation’s signature drinks is called Morning Forest, which Zhang said was, “inspired by those memorable outdoor experiences in the early morning when tranquility, fresh air, and pleasant scents are around.”

The drink is crafted with ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Kyoto, Japan and house-made jasmine syrup, topped with a single shot of espresso and jasmine buds.

Although Daycation will be sprinkled with Asian touches, that doesn’t mean customers cannot get their favorite classic drinks as well.

However, you won’t find a counter full of retail syrup bottles at Daycation. All syrups will be made in-house with high-quality ingredients, sourced from local and international brands.

“While we are eager to bring unique flavors and experiences to the community, we are happy to keep some classic favorites on our menu as well, such as a chai and vanilla latte,” said Zhang.

Daycation has partnered with Torch Coffee to create the Daycation Blend, a custom blend of specialty coffee from Yunnan, China and Guatemala.

“We’ve been working with Torch Coffee for a long time to make this blend happen. We are so excited for everyone to try it out,” said Zhang.

Not only will Daycation offer espresso-based drinks, but other coffee brewing methods will be available, such as batch brewed, pour over, and cold brew.

A variety of premium tea options will also be available, including but not limited to Da Hong Pao, White Peony, and Jasmine Pearl. The teas are sourced from a Los Angeles-based supplier who sources teas from their family farm in Fujian, China.

In addition to matcha, Daycation will also offer hojicha, which is a green tea like matcha, but its roasted, brown in color, and contains less caffeine.

“Hojicha is not as well-known as matcha, but it is so delicious with a rich and slightly roasted flavor,” said Zhang. “I hope more people get to know hojicha after trying it out at our shop.”

As for food, Daycation plans to primarily work with local bakery shops to start while continuously expanding options down the road.

The debut of Daycation is a dream realized for Zhang, who has always wanted to run a coffee shop.

“I just always thought it would be later in life after I retired,” laughed Zhang. “But not long after I moved to Florida, I discovered St. Pete and instantly felt the urge to open my shop in this vibrant community, becoming part of its thriving coffee scene while adding a new cultural touch.”

Daycation is expected to debut next week at 189 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North.

“We cannot wait to open our doors and serve St. Pete a cup of Daycation soon.”

Be sure to follow Daycation on Instagram to stay up to date on a soft opening announcement and all their coffee offerings.