[As published in West Palm Beach Magazine]
The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority [DDA] has sent out an invitation to all its downtown residents, fellow merchants, and co-workers to come out and enjoy a Community Cafecito every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
It’s not unusual to find Raphael Clemente, Executive Director of West Palm Beach’s Downtown Development Authority, walking up and down downtown’s main street. His office is just around the corner of Clematis Street. However, every other Wednesday afternoon, at exactly 3 pm, chances are you’ll find him at 314 Clematis Street, chatting with locals and sipping a small cup of Cafecito Cubano (Cuban coffee). Widely known for its intensely rich, strong taste, when mixed with scalded milk and sugar, it tastes like pure joy.
“We wanted to sort of lower the barrier and invite people to have a conversation with us about whatever it may be,” says Clemente as we take a pause in the middle of the day to sit and chat while enjoying a cafecito.
New Ideas
“Do you want to talk about the weather? Fine. Do you want to talk about a development project or business idea? Fine. We have no agenda other than welcoming you to come in and meet us face to face right here in public, on Clematis Street,” he says about the purpose of the invite.
As people gather around us, it’s interesting to watch who’s decided to come and have a cafecito and a sweet bite from one of the local bakeries. Typically, it’s those who decide, “You know what?… I have a few free minutes, let me go down from my office.” Or perhaps people who truly want to meet the DDA and say, “Hey, I have this idea, I’ve been meaning to come by the office, or call you….” Then, they spend a few minutes just having a conversation, which is a better connection. [Read more]