DeeDee’s to begin serving espresso drinks July 9

A new espresso machine, employee training, and an updated menu are all part of the rollout planned for early July.

Barista Gabe prepares one of DeeDee’s new iced espresso drinks ahead of the coffee shop’s July 9 espresso launch.

Customers visiting DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee & Décor will soon have a new option on the menu as the downtown Rockton coffee shop prepares to launch espresso-based drinks July 9.

Owners Jake and Christy Krupa said adding espresso had long been a goal, but it wasn’t practical until they created more workspace behind the counter.

Employees are training on DeeDee’s new Astra espresso machine before the downtown Rockton coffee shop launches its expanded espresso menu July 9.

“We went on vacation, had some lattes, and realized, ‘Nope, this is where we need to be,’” Jake Krupa said. “We need to have espresso because it is the standard for coffee shops.”

A recently installed new counter gave the shop enough room for an espresso machine, allowing the Krupas to move the project forward sooner than planned.

“Let’s just do it now,” Krupa said. “It’s the summer. Let’s make it happen.”

Many of DeeDee’s existing specialty drinks are currently made with brewed coffee. Beginning July 9, those drinks will be prepared with espresso by default, while customers who prefer the coffee-based versions will still be able to order them by requesting an au lait.

Krupa explained that espresso is not a different type of coffee but a different brewing method.

“It’s really a brewing technique for coffee,” he said. “It’s basically a concentrated coffee, essentially, but it produces a whole different flavor profile.”

The shop will continue working with its current coffee roaster, using its espresso blend while continuing to offer its existing coffee selections.

Employees are training on the new equipment and refining the workflow ahead of the launch while the shop finalizes its updated menu.

Krupa said customers have been requesting espresso for a long time.

“A lot of people have been asking for espresso for a long time,” he said. “Every day.”

The addition will allow DeeDee’s to serve traditional espresso beverages, including lattes and cappuccinos. The Krupas hope the expanded offerings will give customers another reason to stop in.

“My hope is that it gives people a reason to come back,” he said.

More information about the updated menu will be available on DeeDee’s Main Street and Decor website and Facebook page ahead of the July 9 launch.

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