Swell Joe Coffee Company opens in Lewes

Swell Joe Coffee Company is roasting coffee in Lewes. The locally-owned roastery, just two doors down from Surf Bagel north of Five Points, Lewes, supplies fresh roasted coffee to area businesses, including Surf Bagel, The Backyard Milton, Thomas David Salon and Liquid Board Shop.

Swell Joe is the vision of local entrepreneurs Dave Vitella and Drew Johnson, whose connections include teaching, coaching and surfing, and who, during an early morning surf session, discovered a shared passion for something they could join forces on that would serve their community and their own senses of adventure.

Vitella started Surf Bagel in 2003, and with his brother, Tommy, and their wives, Sharon and Liz, they have built a local favorite, known for serving the best bagels and sandwiches around, and for cultivating a fun-loving, food-loving, and people-loving vibe. The next step just felt natural. If serving the freshest bagels in town, roast and brew the freshest, best tasting coffee possible.

Starting with the purchase of the Deidrich-brand coffee roaster, the Swell Joe team began their quest to bring fresh, home grown (at least home-roasted) coffee to Surf Bagel and other area hot spots. After a year-long journey, which included picking the brains of several coffee roasting experts, selecting the best beans around the globe, plus a pilgrimage to Kauai Coffee in Hawaii this spring, the Swell Joe team is proud to bring total stoke to area coffee lovers through five signatures roasts including: Blue Kai, Dubee, Stoked, Mor-feen, plus a decaf version dubbed Cut Back.

Local business owner Andrew Ratner commented on the addition of Swell Joe by saying, “I’ve been going to Surf Bagel for years and it’s really cool to see all the improvements they’ve made - and now they’re serving up fresh, locally roasted coffee. It just keeps getting better.”

Ratner’s mention of improvements references Surf Bagel’s expansion one year ago, plus more recent upgrades this summer including a new outdoor gazebo and seating area, enhanced hardscaping, plus a fully repaved parking lot. Inside the doors, locals and visitors will find new menu offerings, and of course, Swell Joe Coffee, by the cup or pound.

Coffee lovers are encouraged to “like” Swell Joe Coffee on Facebook and Instagram to find out about limited-time blends, as well as new retail locations serving up Swell Joe. Local shops and restaurants looking to serve/sell Swell Joe should call Dave Vitella at 302-841-0851 or email the Swell Joe team at brew@swelljoecoffee.com.