Dudkewic brothers open pastry cafe right next to a familiar location

Palm Coast Observer
Business

Pull quote: “If we get the results that they’re looking for, by making this a family place like our salon is a family place, then we’ve succeeded.”

TIM DUDKEWIC, father of the Dudkewic brothers

The young Dudkewic brothers, Luke, Paul and John, a senior at Flagler Palm Coast High School, recently opened the Sarafina Café at 99 Old Kings Road S., right next to their parents, Tim and Lucille’s E'lan Family Hair Studio.

Former receptionists at E’lan’s, the trio decided to embark on this new business venture to provide their parents’ salon customers with a more cooling and relaxed environment, and they also hope to attract other locals and former northerners, seeing all of their coffee, Italian Ice, pastries and Gelatos are shipped from New York and New Jersey.

Sarafina Cafe's pastry layout will continuously change, based on customer favorites.

“We’ve seen people sitting in the waiting room or sitting in their cars, and it’s just too hot outside,” Luke Dudkewic said. “We have TVs, Wi-Fi and a whole bunch of stuff for people to enjoy.”

Sarafina took over the former Bizcard Xpress store, combined both of the store’s rooms, and now has a spacious shop that has already experienced heavy traffic.

“It’s their store, and I want them to run with it,” said Tim Dudkewic, the boys’ father. “They got a bright future ahead of them, if they do it the right way.”

Just as the Dukewics have established a family environment at E’lan’s, the brothers hope their café will become just that where families will be able to build fresh, life-lasting memories, similar to Tim’s recollection of his childhood days with Italian Ice squishy cups.

Sarafina's red velvet cheesecake sold out in less than a day.

“It brings back memories to the New Yorkers,” he said. “Palm Coast is becoming a little New York.”

Hiring familiar faces

To assist with the shop, the Dudkewics called Desire’a Bailey and Katie Spicer, whom Tim calls his kids. Both formerly served as employees at Dudkewics’ hair salon, and, both have lived with the Dudkewics, when they were homeless for brief stints.

“We definitely wanted them both on our team,” Luke Dudkewic said. “They’re both super-hard workers, and that’s what you want working for you.”

When the café opened a few weeks ago, customers fashioned a line that extended out of the shop, and the Dudkewic brothers hope the community reception will continue to support their new journey.

“If we get the results that they’re looking for, by making this a family place like our salon is a family place, then we’ve succeeded.”

Call 338-3168, or visit the Sarafina Café Facebook page.