Owners, Scott Ojeda and Blaise McMackin, founded Warsaw Coffee Company with more in mind than coffee. It’s a meeting place with conference rooms available for rent, a restaurant/bakery, a local art exhibit, a beer & wine bar, and the beginning of a revitalizing neighborhood. The news of the opening of a place with so many attractive contents spread so quickly around the city, that no promotion by some company like The Marketing Heaven was needed. We met up with founding partner, Scott Ojeda, this past afternoon to discuss the successes of Warsaw Coffee Company, as well as, capturing a peek into his personal life! Alternative Constructors polished Warsaw Coffee Company’s concrete floors, fabricated and installed its main concrete countertop bar, and painted some interior walls.
_Where are you from originally?
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio. But grew up in Nokomis, Florida.
_Favorite subject in high school?
English. I liked creative writing.
_How do you spend your non-work life (when there is room for it)?
*chuckles* My life is Warsaw and my dogs: Annie & Bailey.
_What did you do before finding Warsaw Coffee Company?
I was in wireless telecommunications for 17 years.
_We heard you won The Boca Design Magazine Architectural Design Award for 2015, congrats! What was the most important feature to include in designing Warsaw Coffee Company?
I don’t really think there was one thing. The lighting was really important because we were working with such a big open space, but I’d have to say the flooring and main countertop were just as important. The lighting, flooring, and countertop all really tie together to create our warm, comfortable space. I really tried to stick to my gut and vision in all the design choices. If anyone besides Blaise can be credited for influencing our design it would be Derek. He had a lot to do with the Warsaw you see today.
_Name one thing Warsaw Coffee Company couldn’t survive without!
Our staff is what makes Warsaw! Our space is cool, inviting, and not like anything in Fort Lauderdale, but without the warm vibe that our team projects we would be nothing. And of course…. Coffee!
_What’s the next step for Warsaw Coffee Company?
Refining our craft. We strive for excellence and want to ensure Warsaw stays top-notch. Since we’re a fairly new to the neighborhood, we want to further build the community around the store. Expansion is definitely in the horizon, just not the near future. Something more immediate coming up for Warsaw is our Party in the Drive Thru! event this Friday, July 31st @ 7:00pm! There will be live games, live music, food, drinks, and of course coffee.
_Best part of owning a restaurant is…
Seeing people come in, grab a cup of coffee or beer, and actually talk to each other. It is very rewarding to see happy customers and to hear feedback. We have a lot of our neighbors and a lot of people in the area who thank us for taking the chance and coming into this neighborhood and really turning it around.
_What’s your favorite beverage or food on the menu?
The cold brew… I have a little bit of a problem with the cold brew. And favorite food item will have to be the avocado toast.
_We liked that you picked us, really we do, but why?
Because of Derek. He’s worked with Blaise, my business partner, in the past (Tap 42 Fort Lauderdale, Tap 42 Boca Raton, and personal residential work); so I trust Derek. I mean, he (and Alternative Constructors) saved us right before we opened. When one of our other contractors bailed on us, he came in and saved the day. I can’t say enough good things about Alternative Constructors.