Blooms and brews: Christy and Jake Krupa take the reins at DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee & Décor

Most mornings at DeeDee’s look about the same — regulars in familiar seats, easy conversation, and a steady flow of coffee.

Christy Krupa, owner of Buckets n Blooms — which opened its Rockton floral shop in 2023 — and her husband Jake have officially taken over DeeDee’s Coffee, a downtown business that has become a familiar gathering place for local residents.

A husband-and-wife team, the Krupas are no strangers to small business ownership. Christy owns Buckets n Blooms, while Jake also operates a local handyman business.

The transition didn’t come out of nowhere. The downtown Rockton businesses first connected through seasonal collaborations around holidays like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas. When Buckets n Blooms moved into the back of DeeDee’s Coffee Shop last spring, the partnership deepened and conversations about the future naturally followed.

“It’s been brewing for a while,” Christy said.

Jake said once the businesses began sharing space, the idea of eventually taking on a larger role felt less abstract.

“As soon as we moved in back there, we knew it was an option,” he said, adding that the expectation had always been that it would be a longer-term plan.

While the opportunity arrived sooner than initially expected, both said the timing ultimately made sense. DeeDee Weiser, who has shared her desire to spend more time with family and focus on her health, remains part of the shop and continues working part-time while the couple settles into ownership.

For Christy, preserving what people already love about DeeDee’s was essential.

“The atmosphere,” she said, as she gestured toward the welcoming space and explained the way customers naturally linger. “Keeping the name,” she added, was also part of honoring that identity.

“If you change the name, you kind of shift the feel of the place,” Christy said.

Jake agreed, noting that while updates are inevitable, the core experience doesn’t need fixing.

“The vibe works,” he said. “That’s the one thing you don’t want to lose.”

Some small changes have taken place behind the counter. One of the first was adding a sticker system for drink orders, something Jake said helps keep things moving during busy mornings while still keeping service personal.

Jake, who worked at Starbucks for a year while in college, said, “The system just helps everything flow.”

The owners are also in the process of selecting a new coffee roaster and hope to keep that partnership local. They plan to begin selling pre-packaged coffee beans, along with brewing tools like French presses and pour-over equipment, to give customers more ways to enjoy DeeDee’s beyond the counter.

Looking ahead, Jake said their focus is on coffee quality and consistency. A dark roast option will be added to the menu, expanding beyond the shop’s current offerings. Early samples of the dark roast have already been shared with regulars, including customers who drink their coffee black.

“That was a big thing for me,” Jake said. “I care that it tastes good.”

Hours have already been adjusted. DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee & Decor is now open 6:30 a.m. to noon on weekdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, and closed Sundays.

Behind the scenes, DeeDee’s and Buckets n Blooms are now operationally connected. New gift cards have been ordered and will be usable at both businesses once they arrive, featuring both logos.

Beyond that, the couple said the goal is simple.

“Good coffee,” Jake said. “And a place people want to come back to.”

For updates, announcements, and future events, follow Buckets n Blooms and DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee & Decor on Facebook.