Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream, a new Korean-inspired café, has opened at Boxyard RTP in Research Triangle Park. The concept is operated by the team behind Namu, Bulkogi, and The Can Opener—Charlie Ji, Joe Choi, Bo Kwon, and Jin Song—who are known for their influence on the local food scene.
Baekho offers a rotating menu of drinks and locally sourced ice cream through a walk-up window connected to The Makery at Boxyard. Its offerings include espresso beverages made with beans from Durham’s Counter Culture Coffee and slushies featuring ingredients such as yuzu. Signature drinks include the Peachy Sweet Matcha Latte and Korean Coffee Slush.
“Boxyard RTP has been Bulkogi’s home for the last four years, and we’re excited to bring something completely new to the community,” said Charlie Ji, co-owner of Baekho. “The lively atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit at Boxyard RTP gives us the creative freedom to experiment with unique flavors and offerings. Baekho is a place to slow down, connect and enjoy something unexpected.”
Carolyn Coia, vice president of real estate at Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina—which owns Boxyard RTP—said: “This team continues to raise the bar. Baekho is what our community was missing. Whether you’re grabbing a latte for your morning meeting, recharging mid-day with a slushy or winding down your day with dessert, Baekho delivers a refreshing new way to unwind in RTP.”
In addition to opening Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream, the group plans another concept at Boxyard that will feature Korean corndogs, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, kimchi french fries, and various beverages.
Boxyard RTP consists of 40 upcycled shipping containers on Hub RTP’s western side. It serves as both retail space and venue with amenities like an indoor-outdoor gathering area, dog park, performance stage, and event programming including music and fitness classes (https://boxyard.rtp.org).
Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina has managed Research Triangle Park since 1959. The park covers 7,000 acres between major universities in North Carolina—Duke University; North Carolina Central University; North Carolina State University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—and houses more than 375 companies including Apple, Biogen (https://rtp.org).
Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream operates inside The Makery at Boxyard RTP at 900 Park Offices Drive in Durham.
