[COVER STORY]
"WE ENJOY THE GREAT COMMUNITY, THE AMAZING
VARIETY OF LOCAL FOOD... THE CHANTILLY NEIGHBORHOOD IS A GOOD AREA TO LIVE.”
by Eric Johnson
Active is an understatement for the busy lifestyle that Jacob Choi and Christine Su enjoy. Not only are they fully engaged in a professional career as husband-wife proprietors of a cafe and bakery, but they also pursue hobbies, support numerous Chantilly-area schools and community organizations, and give plenty of attention to a frisky dog and a cuddly cat.
What motivates them to stay so active? “I think it’s our personality,” said Jacob. “We’re very work-driven. Even our hobbies bring in passive income; it starts as a hobby and becomes a side business.”
“We both came here as young people from South Korea” as the children of parents who always worked hard, Christine said. “Seeing them while we were growing up, sacrificing a lot of things, was a huge motivator.”
The couple first moved to Chantilly in 2019 after choosing a home in Fairview Square. It was the perfect location for a short commute, just a half-mile away from their Chateau de Chantilly Cafe. Last year, they moved again, this time to a home that’s closer to a second cafe they recently opened in Reston Town Center.
“We enjoy the great community, the amazing variety of local food,” Jacob said. “The Chantilly neighborhood is a good area to live.”
Jacob earned a degree in business management and Christine is a law school graduate who hopes to open her own title practice someday. They could have chosen to follow individual career paths that limited time spent together. Instead, they decided to work as a couple for their own business, thus cementing their strong relationship.
“I think the reason why we have seen success is because we work very well together,” Christine explained. “I call myself the person with the idea, but he’s the one who executes it.”
“My wife and I have been absolute best friends since the day we met” back in 2008, said Jacob. “In our mid-20s, we decided that not only were we best friends, but we’re the love of each other’s lives and that our friendship is deeper than anything that we’ve imagined in any sort of relationship.
“Our best memory together is when we got married on September 17, 2022,” he said.
Jacob graduated in 2015 from Northern Virginia Community College with an Associate of Science in Business Administration degree. Three years later, he graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, with a minor in Entrepreneurship.
Christine did her undergraduate work at George Mason University and went on to earn a degree from the American University Washington College of Law.
In addition to their business, this energetic and outgoing couple is actively involved in a wide variety of community organizations—about 20 organizations altogether—from Girl Scouts to the young artists’’ group ITZArt 4 You to the Builders For Babies Diaper Drive to the Fairfax County Police Association. They also lend a hand to the Toys For Tots Foundation, HomeAid Northern Virginia, and a group for the homeless.
Jacob and Christine don’t have any children—at least not yet, Jacob noted— but they devote plenty of time caring for their two pets: a 7-year-old female Yorkie dog named Harry, and a 1-year-old male domestic shorthair cat named Beau.
Christine remembers rescuing Beau from the cold outdoors last December and now enjoying what she calls “probably the sweetest cat I’ve ever met.”
Harry, who was also rescued, likes peanut butter so much that Jacob started a homemade, peanut butter doggie treat business on the side. The treats are now on sale at the couple’s cafes.
In her spare time, Christine enjoys cooking, especially for gatherings. “I love to bring everybody together and make
Jacob and Christine’s domestic shorthair, Beau, and their Yorkie, a female named Harry
food.” She’s also been a yoga enthusiast since her youth.
Jacob pursues a delicate hobby: blowing glass. He makes wine glasses, decanters, and even glass straws. It started with a college class in glass-blowing five years ago. He then fine-tuned the skill, learning much from online videos.
What’s the attraction of such a unique hobby? “It is my way of meditating, breathing and visualizing in order to clear my mind,” Jacob said. But that’s not his only hobby: Jacob has been doing Taekwondo since 2000, reaching the level of 4th degree Master.
Like many of their Chantilly neighbors, the couple enjoy occasionally getting away from it all and learning about other cultures while traveling. They are particularly drawn to to sun and sand destinations.
“My wife and I love to travel,” Jacob said “We get a lot of inspiration from exploring different cultures around the world. Our favorite travel destination is the Caribbean. We also love to sponsor nonprofit organizations and make donations throughout our travels.”
For their honeymoon in September, Jacob and Christine traveled to St. Lucia and stayed at the famous Jade Mountain Resort. They saw the Piton Peaks and indulged in sulfur springs and skin-purifying mud. “I would 100 percent recommend it,” Jacob said.
As if their life isn’t busy enough, Jacob added that they are happy to set aside time to support their Chantilly neighbors, especially any neighbors who may be new to the community and would like to get to know their way around. “If you ever need any help or have any specific questions about the town, please feel free to reach out!” he said.
Thank you Jacob and Christine!
