Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Vasa.
Hi Nadia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Inspiring Story of Nadia Vasa
1. The Story of Four Green Cats: From South Bohemia to New Jersey
My journey is proof that it is never too late to follow your heart. I am a graduate of a culinary school (School of Tourism and Vocational College in České Budějovice). I began my entrepreneurial journey as a single mother in the post-revolution Czech Republic, driven by the desire to build a better future for my young daughter.
After the Velvet Revolution, I successfully launched a bold project that was approved by the city council—an exclusive retail space in my hometown. With limited savings and my own effort, I built a small shop on the main street, which was a major achievement at the time.
Soon after, alongside this successful project, I began representing a food company where I worked as a branch manager and helped establish new retail locations. Later, I also worked in real estate and development. I purchased a former medical center and converted it into an apartment building with small, affordable units.
Eventually, I renovated a beautiful historic countryside property in the Novohradské Mountains and transformed it into a restaurant and café called Novohradský dvůr, where I first began blending Czech traditions with American flavors.
In 2013, my heart led me across the ocean to the United States to be with my daughter and granddaughters. There, I met my husband Míla, who became my greatest support and encouraged me to pursue my dream of opening my first signature café.
We started with nothing—just a wooden table, a rented oven, and a big dream. I spent nights baking in a rented kitchen and woke up at 4 a.m. to bring fresh Czech pastries to farmers markets. My English was limited, but as one customer once told me: “Your food speaks for you.” The lines were long, our European pastries quickly became popular, and we sold out every time. Soon after, my first signature café in Mount Laurel, New Jersey became a success.
2. Challenges and Growth (The Birth of Four Green Cats)
The journey was not easy. Starting a business during the pandemic in December 2020 was risky, but the incredible support from the American community pushed us forward. I was deeply moved by how warmly people embraced our culture.
The name Four Green Cats Café honors my family:
• “Four” represents four generations of women (myself, my daughter, and my two granddaughters)
• “Green” symbolizes fresh, honest ingredients
• “Cats” is a playful reference to the Czech word “Kočky”, meaning beautiful, spirited women
It is a brand built on love, heritage, and hard work.
3. What Makes Us Different (More Than Just a Café)
We don’t just serve food—we build cultural bridges. Our café has become a hub for Czech and Slovak Artists, Musicians, and performers. From traditional Sunday meals like “Svíčková to viral TikTok videos, we bring a piece of Prague to New Jersey.
Now, we are beginning our biggest adventure yet: opening our new “Grand Salon” on Tanner Street in Haddonfield. It will be an oasis inspired by antique European cafés—a true “Czech cultural embassy” where everyone can experience our history.
VIP Guests & Cultural Mission
We are proud to be a “Czech cultural oasis.” Our location between Czech Consulates in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. has made us a destination for notable visitors, including NHL player Dan Vladař, Nick Castellanos (@ casty_8), a professional Baseball, Congressman Andy Kim, war crimes investigator Vladimír Dzuro, and journalist Pavel Novák.
My daughter, Kateřina Crawford, serves as our cultural manager and founder of the Comenium Czech and Slovak School. Through her work, we host top artists from the Czech Republic—from musicians like Martina Barta, Rozalie Havelková, Kaczi, Jozef Ivaška, Thom Artway, Michal Horák, Harafica and Petr Petrů ZUŠ Kyjov, to Traditional Cimbalom Bands and puppet theaters Bauerovi Josefov.
What started as a small business in the post-revolution Czech Republic has grown into a successful café in Mount Laurel, thanks to the support of both American customers and the Czech community. Our customers became friends, and their openness to our culture changed our lives.
Four Green Cats Café is not just a café—it is a place where cultures meet, traditions are shared, and the American Dream continues—one pastry, one sandwich, and one conversation at a time.
Craft & Food Philosophy
I am the creator of an artisanal baking concept rooted in European, especially Czech traditions. My recipes are inspired by my great-grandmother and focus on authenticity and quality.
• The dough is made with high-quality butter, lightly spiced, not overly sweet
• No preservatives or additives
• Made by hand using imported European flour
• Naturally fermented sourdough
American customers have embraced this less-sweet, authentic concept with enthusiasm.
Our menu includes freshly baked kolaches, soft pastries filled with sweet cheese, jam, and plum butter, decorated with fruit. We also offer Czech Donuts (BohemianDonuts), Tiramisu donuts, Apple strudel, Bread pudding, Babka, Colache, Open Face Sandwiches, and many other specialties—all paired with Great Coffee and a Smile.
What I Am Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my family. My husband Míla, an electrical engineer with nearly 40 years of experience, is my greatest support. My daughter Kateřina is a teacher and founder of a Czech school, and my granddaughters are already achieving great success—one studying medicine at Tulane University and another excelling in soccer, piano, and her fourth-grade classroom.
About Us
Four Green Cats Café, located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is a cozy European café known for its charm and awards. We are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering fresh, small-batch baked goods and meals. Sundays feature traditional Czech dishes like Svíčková, Guláš, and schnitzel with potato salad.
Every dish we serve tells a story.
Our Next Chapter
We are now preparing for our biggest adventure yet: opening our flagship Grand Salon in Haddonfield, a space filled with old-world elegance and Czech cultural heritage.
And what to be proud of;
Big Announcement for Haddonfield
While Mount Laurel remains the beloved home of Four Green Cats Café, Nadia is excited to announce a major expansion. A second, larger flagship location is currently under construction in **Haddonfield** – **The Grand Salon**. Designed to evoke the antique elegance of historic European cafes, this new space will serve as a “Czech Cultural Embassy.” The grand opening is tentatively scheduled for the **Summer of 2026**. Follow our social media for official dates and teasers!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Big Announcement: Next Chapter
“After six years of settling in Rancocas Woods, we are excited to announce that we have found our second home. While we will continue to serve our beloved Mount Laurel community, we are expanding to a larger, flagship location – **The Grand Salon’ on Tanner Street in Haddonfield**. This grand new space will be an oasis of “old-world cultural elegance and authenticity.” We are currently developing a website and look forward to welcoming you there in the **Summer of 2026**.”🍀🎉
Our Café Four Green Cats Cafe needed more space to fully develop the Grand Salon concept with a full commercial kitchen and cultural program..
☕️🇨🇿❤️🇺🇸
What’s next?
Big Announcement: Next Chapter
“After six years of settling in Rancocas Woods, we are excited to announce that we have found our second home. While we will continue to serve our beloved Mount Laurel community, we are expanding to a larger, flagship location – **The Grand Salon’ on Tanner Street in Haddonfield**. This grand new space will be an oasis of “old-world cultural elegance and authenticity.” We are currently developing a website and look forward to welcoming you there in the **Summer of 2026**.”🍀🎉
Our Café Four Green Cats Cafe needed more space to fully develop the Grand Salon concept with a full commercial kitchen and cultural program..
☕️🇨🇿❤️🇺🇸
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fourgreencats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourgreencatscafe_?igsh=MWg0dnJlNTBjem94eg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18VNMC4Kuc/
