Coffee shop 'Central Perk' hits BeijingBeijing, China -- It looks like Ross and Rachel's favorite hang out: the big orange couch, the oversized coffee mugs, the neon signage and bricks, and even the guitar on which Phoebe strummed "Smelly Cat."Except this "Central Perk" is neither in New York City nor on the set of "Friends" in Los Angeles. It is thousands of miles away, tucked in the heart of bustling downtown Beijing on the 6th floor of a non-descript office building.
"When I watched 'Friends', I always wondered whether there was really such a coffee shop because I would definitely become a frequent customer," said Du Xin, who opened the cafe in March. "But I didn't find one. So, I decided to open a 'Central Perk' on my own."
A loyal and dedicated fan of the sitcom, Du scrutinized thousands of pictures of the show's set, watched endless reruns of the sitcom, and spent five months laboring over furniture designs with manufacturers in Beijing to create his uncanny replica.
Despite the massive popularity of "Friends" in China, the café's location was initially a liability.
A loyal and dedicated fan of the sitcom, Du scrutinized thousands of pictures of the show's set, watched endless reruns of the sitcom, and spent five months laboring over furniture designs with manufacturers in Beijing to create his uncanny replica.
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