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Everything started in 1991 with an "idea".
Someone from the family told Demetrio, "Demetrio, why don't you open up a café”. That special coffee that you make is so unique and delicious, that no one makes coffee like you". Demetrio makes coffee "cortadito" style (in reality it is Café Demetrio) for many years. Every time he made it, it tasted better and better and each time he would perfect it he would say, It did not matter what nationality you were, everybody who drank Demetrio's coffee was completely satisfied and they loved it. Demetrio would always find the perfect grain and then he would mix it with his secret flavorings.
As the years
passed by, little by little the idea of starting a business was starting to sound like a good idea . A new concept developed in the mind of Demetrio and his wife, Vilma. The concept was to put a European style "Coffee House"As a great chess player all his life, Demetrio was reading the history of the sport when he came across that since the 1700's the important people of Europe would come together in these elegant Coffee Houses to talk about politics, business and real life situations, while they would also enjoy, of course, playing a game of chess.
Demetrio and Vilma knew that this concept would be new to Miami because Miami was overpopulated with
different types of Restaurants and Cafeterias, but what they wanted to do did not exist in Miami. They finally decided to begin the project, even
though they had no experience in this type of business. After many
"downfalls", the perfect location was found in Coral Gables in 1994 (actual location). This building was totally reconstructed inside, but the structure kept its unique and original look from 1926.
For this type of business the fact that the building was original and had some type of importance was
crucial. Vilma oversees decorations, ambiance and adding a special European touch with small details to the cafe. Café Demetrio finally opened its
doors in December of 1997.
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