“It’s the people we bring together and the memories that take shape within our space,” says Sweet Talk Cafe owner Jasmine Lim about what makes her business the talk of the town of Apex.
Inspired by the large pot of Vietnamese coffee her parents brewed every morning, and by the bright aroma that filled the house — a “daily ritual that quickly became a comforting and familiar part of my life,” according to Jasmine — she developed a love for coffee and started as a home barista in her apartment’s tiny kitchen.
“I loved the idea of experimenting with unique flavors,” she says about the espresso-based drinks she crafted and the homemade syrups and lemonades she tinkered with. “And I wanted to combine my passion for coffee and creativity into something that my friends and family could share with me.”
Sweet Talk Cafe owner Jasmine Lim
And since May 27, 2023, that’s precisely what has been happening in Beaver Creek Crossings Shopping Center. Among the many things Jasmine loves about running Sweet Talk Cafe, what means the most to her is “the sense of community we’ve built.” That community includes families with children, young adults working remotely, and high school students looking for a fun spot to hang out. Indeed, on the afternoon we visited, the café’s 24 seats were occupied by all types sipping on inventive and inspiring concoctions.
“I love seeing our regulars and building relationships with them,” Jasmine says about getting to know a bit about her guests’ lives, families, and interests. Sweet Talk has hosted a few speaker-related events, and community groups often gather there for book clubs, crochet clubs, and other events. “It feels especially meaningful during the holiday season,” Jasmine says about the coming together of the community in the café. “When guests come to Sweet Talk to catch up with loved ones, exchange gifts, and create those special moments.”
Seasonal specials enhance the year-round menu. While beloved classics like peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice always feature, Sweet Talk’s 15 employees “love experimenting with new creations that capture the spirit of the season,” says Jasmine. Inspiration comes from trending flavors and unexpected pairings, and “sometimes just pure creativity to bring fresh and exciting options to our menu.”
When it comes to current customer favorites, the blueberry matcha latte is a popular pick. Matcha is a perfect drink for a hot, sunny day, Jasmine shares, and the house-made blueberry syrup adds the perfect touch of fruity sweetness. Another popular drink is the signature Sweet Talk latte, which is sweet, nutty, and available year-round.
As for food, Sweet Talk’s Strawberry Creme Croffle is the most popular menu item — and one of Jasmine’s personal favorites. This croissant and waffle hybrid features buttery inner layers and the crispy crust of a traditional waffle. The piped-on strawberry cream is subtly sweet and topped with fresh-cut strawberries, graham cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar. And take it from us: This is one you cannot miss!
In addition to its regular menu, the café offers rotating seasonal specials.
Whether food or drink and sweet or savory, ingredient quality is important to Jasmine. Especially when creating something unique, intentionality is behind every drink — “whether it’s the espresso we pull, the syrups we make in-house, or the seasonal flavors we feature,” she says. Real, simple ingredients are used whenever possible, and attempts are always made to avoid anything overly processed that would take away from the integrity of the flavor.
Sweet Talk highlights fresh and unique combinations, so Jasmine spends time researching trends, sourcing interesting ingredients, and testing recipes until they feel and taste just right.
Competition “can be found everywhere,” she admits, but Jasmine tries to set Sweet Talk apart by staying true to the brand and the experience she aims to offer her guests. “I hope that our environment feels cozy, welcoming, and that our menu encourages people to try something new!” she says. “I always want our customers to feel like we are consistently serving high-quality, thoughtfully prepared, and unique menu items.”
Jasmine believes that what keeps customers coming back is the combination of ambience and experience. “Our space was designed to feel open, clean, and refreshing. Our menu features creative, aesthetic drinks and desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious,” she says. Together, the Sweet Talk Cafe environment, offerings, and customer service work to create an experience that is both visually inviting and genuinely satisfying.
For guests with special dietary needs, there is a non-caffeinated menu; decaf espresso is also offered. There are limited gluten-free offerings, and Sweet Talk offers dairy-free options such as oat and almond milk as alternatives for beverages.
Jasmine is excited to continue developing the menu, exploring new drink creations, and possibly expanding into more savory options. She also hopes that Sweet Talk will host more community-focused events and create even more opportunities to bring people together.
As a small-business owner, having a supportive community that embraces Sweet Talk means “the world” to Jasmine and reinforces for her that reaching the two-year milestone wouldn’t have been possible without her community’s support. Looking ahead, Jasmine shares that her hope is to keep “growing the café and become an even more meaningful part of the Apex community for years to come.”
- Garden Adventurer: Spinach Planting Time!
- Small Business Spotlight: Sweet Talk Cafe
- Irregardless of Time
- Liquid Assets: Beekeeper Honey Wheat Ale
- Liquid Assets: Mae Culpa
- Erica Chats: Rethinking Food
- Pay It Forward: Raleigh City Farm
- Her Garden Grows
- Burger Bonanza
- A Family Affair
- Buzzing with Purpose
- Buzz-Worthy Bites
- Things to Do: August 2025
