By Maria Paula Gonzales
Deke’s Coffee is no longer confined to the boundaries of Downtown Delray: its second location has officially opened in Briny Breezes.
From owner Nico Manuel’s humble beginnings roasting coffee beans out of his parents’ garage in Ocean Ridge to owning a successful coffee shop — now with two locations — we’re wondering how he keeps up.
He explained that with the addition of a roaster in their Downtown Delray location, they can roast coffee for both locations and distribute it across the bridge to their new digs. The intention is to continue that system with their baked goods as well. As Nico puts it, the two stores “provide for each other.”
Family sits at the cornerstone of the Deke’s business philosophy, and Nico understands what it means to honor the family legacy.
“The whole Deke’s brand really started close to twenty years ago, when my dad started roasting coffee at home,” Nico said. “My mom grew up on a farm in Puerto Rico, where her father, my Abuelo, used to grow coffee. She was always surrounded by coffee because of her upbringing.”
Nico’s dedication and love for family shine brightest through the business. His best friend, Manny, manages the new location, and Nico’s wife, Danica, works across the business, from behind the counter to sourcing products from the Delray Beach GreenMarket.
Even the newest member of the family, baby Valentina, played a part in inspiring the second location. “This shop was inspired in part by our newborn daughter,” Nico said. “Having a place for her to come and hang out while having all the things that would make it accommodating for other families, too.”
“The intention is not to come into the location and change it, but to merge with it.”
So, how did Briny Breezes become the place to put down new roots?
“I happened to see a road sign. It was a for sale sign, but it said, ‘request for proposals, building for lease,’” Nico said. “When I researched it, I found out they were looking for a coffee shop, and I thought, well, how fitting?”
After looking at spaces in Dania Beach and Pompano Beach, it was like this spot was just waiting for them. “This location was different because it was close enough that we could bring inventory from Delray, where we have an established pipeline,” Nico said.
The town of Briny Breezes uses what’s sometimes called participatory planning: when the community comes together to vote or make decisions on future development. Understanding what the community needs and merging it with what the business is able to provide is what makes Deke’s so special.
“We were able to check all of our boxes with this location, make the town happy by bringing them an amenity that they were looking for, and then also service the greater community by having a third space for everybody to access,” Nico said.
The offerings stretch far beyond coffee: matcha, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches made with fresh eggs from Coastal Pastures Farm, even deli items are available here. Growing up in the area, Nico remembers the days of riding his bike to the old Seaside Deli and grabbing a sandwich and a soda before heading to the beach. It was a tradition — one he wanted to bring back.
“The intention is not to come into the location and change it, but to merge with it,” Nico and Danica said. They even kept the salon chairs that have been there for the past 35 years while the location was the Briny Hair Salon.
There are certain places that when one walks in, authenticity oozes out of it. From the service down to the ambience, Deke’s is one of those places without a doubt. “We want to keep Briny what it is. It’s old Florida,” Nico said.
4800 N. Ocean Blvd., Briny Breezes
