Phong Ho, a resident of Ave Maria since 2007 and owner of Tropical Smoothie, OASIS The Kitchen Lounge, and Vicky Bakery, recently shared insights into his entrepreneurial journey and the motivations behind his restaurant ventures in the master-planned community. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, and raised in Naples, Florida, Ho moved to Ave Maria after his father suggested the family relocate to the community, which Ho already knew well from his work at Pulte Homes and connections with Barron Collier Companies.
Ho’s entry into the restaurant business came at age 25, when his father encouraged him to open a Tropical Smoothie Café in the Ave Maria Town Center. Despite initially knowing nothing about smoothies, Ho describes it as one of the smartest business decisions he ever made. Thirteen years later, in 2022, he opened OASIS The Kitchen Lounge next door, recognizing the community’s need for a sit-down eatery. The restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner, quickly gained popularity and was named among the “New and Best Restaurants in Southwest Florida” by the Naples Daily News.
In May 2024, Ho expanded his portfolio by opening the first Vicky Bakery on Florida’s west coast. He saw a gap in the breakfast segment and chose Vicky after hearing repeated recommendations from friends and neighbors. Vicky Bakery is a family-owned Cuban pastry shop founded in Miami in 1972 by Antonio and Gelasia Cao, who migrated to the U.S. as political exiles. The bakery uses traditional Cuban recipes that have remained unchanged since its inception. Today, there are more than 30 locations across Florida. Ho noted, “When I did my homework, I realized how many fans they have. One resident said to me, ‘I would die for a Vicky at Ave.’”
Ho emphasized that food is central to the Ave Maria experience and that providing more options is important to residents. Looking ahead, he plans to continue contributing to the town’s growth. “I still have ambition to help Ave Maria grow and there are bigger and better things that I’m planning,” he said. “For whoever knows me, they know whatever it is it will be something spectacular.”
