Hidden Gems: Meet Sutawanee (Vicky) Duke of Thai Stations Restaurant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sutawanee (Vicky) Duke.

Sutawanee (Vicky), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in a big family in Thailand, where food was the heart of our home. Every day, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins gathered to cook and share homemade meals together. Our houses were all built close to each other, so cooking and eating as a family was simply part of everyday life.

From a young age, I helped in the kitchen , starting with small tasks until cooking became second nature. I never went to culinary school; I learned through love, tradition, and generations of family meal passed down through time.

When I moved to the United States, I realized how much I missed the taste of real home-cooked Thai food. I started cooking every day for myself, and my husband eventually asked, “Why don’t you open your own restaurant so you can enjoy Thai food every day?”

That simple question became the beginning of Thai Station Restaurant.
Cooking isn’t just my passion, it’s my way of sharing the warmth, flavor, and togetherness of Thai family meals with everyone who visits us.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can say my road hasn’t been easy. It took time and patience to open our doors because of our inexperience. We had to learn step by step — asking questions, seeking advice, and figuring out how to complete each document correctly. There were many times I wanted to give up because I didn’t know where to start.

I made countless phone calls — to people I knew, the health department, the fire department, and the town hall. I visited them in person to learn and ask questions because I’ve always believed that the first step is the hardest. No one is born knowing everything. We have to learn, gain experience, and never give up. If one door closes, another will open. Problems don’t disappear until we face and solve them.

After completing all the requirements and getting the licenses we needed, we were finally able to open our doors. At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly — our customers were supportive, and business was good. But it was only the calm before the storm. Just six weeks after opening, we had to shut down our dine-in area due to COVID-19. It felt like being struck by lightning. I was in shock for a few days, but like I’ve always said: problems don’t go away until we face them.

Even though I had so much on my shoulders, I couldn’t let myself stay discouraged for long. I went from having a full team to doing almost everything on my own, with only a few employees left because I couldn’t afford to pay everyone. I applied for loans and grants, but we were denied since our restaurant had only been open for six weeks and we didn’t yet have a business tax return. Still, I refused to give up. I focused on solving each problem day by day.

I promoted our restaurant on social media and received help from a local food influencer who had dined with us before the shutdown. Thanks to her support, more people learned about us. I kept the restaurant open every day, even during the hardest times, because I believed in never giving up. Slowly, things started to get better. The local community supported us, and people continued to come back.

To this day, I’m deeply grateful for everyone who supported us and helped keep us going.

We’ve been impressed with Thai Stations Restaurant , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Thai Station Restaurant — a place where I can share the same flavors, warmth, and togetherness I grew up with. Every dish is made with love, just like a meal at home in Thailand. where every dish is crafted with care to share the true taste of Thai home cooking.

How do you define success?
To me, success means turning passion into purpose. It’s about building something meaningful, overcoming obstacles, and continuing to move forward even when things are difficult. Success isn’t measured only by numbers or awards, but by the happiness of our customers and the pride I feel in what we’ve built together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thaistationnc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaistation_carrboro_nc?igsh=Z2VmNDBtMDRxcmJh&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bk2ScMpi9/?mibextid=wwXIfr