Corey Costa knew he wanted to own his own business, but wasn't sure what kind of business it would be.
A carpenter by trade up north, he realized that construction was not in his long-term plans but investing in his own business was.
"I watched a lot of things about investing like 'Shark Tank' and other things and read a lot of books," he said. "I knew I wanted to invest in something I believed in instead of opening another McDonald's or something like that."
That something turned out to be the Raw Juice Cafe, 200 S. Central Ave., Flagler Beach.
Costa's vision for the business goes beyond the small shop on a corner across from Veterans Park.
"This is the thing I want to see in the future — more healthy options, healthier fast food," he said.
In addition to freshly made juices, the shop offers smoothies, smoothie bowls, desserts and a variety of sandwiches, wraps and salads.
Costa said he looked for space in other parts of the county and didn't think he could find a site in his price range in Flagler Beach.
"I saw the 'For Rent' sign in the window and I called and it was a reasonable price," he said of the space formerly occupied by Vic's Airbrushing.
With three employees in addition to himself, he said business has been good in the two months the shop has been open.
"I kind of thought about best-case scneario and worst-case scenario and I think it's been going pretty good," he said. "There have not been too many surprises out of the box."
Even the challenge of the small footprint of the shop is not too much to overcome, he said.
"Space is pretty small, so there's a lot of running back and forth," he said. "It's a lot of adapting, trying to get every customer and trying to make sure I can do it fast enough."
On a recent Friday morning, a steady stream of customers made their way to the shop at the same time Costa was busy filling a large carryout order. With the arrival of beach season, he expects that pace to continue. And having a prime spot next to Veterans Park assures a lot of foot traffic when the farmers market is open.
"The farmers market definitely brings people in," he said.
Flagler Beach business owner John Birney, who is a former chairman fo the Flagler County Chamber's Flagler Beach Area Council, said he is not surprised the space where Costa's shop is didn't stay empty for long.
"I think Flagler Beach is becoming the place to be," he said. " I don't think we have too many places that are empty."
Birney said the eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and boutiques adds to the local flavor of Flagler Beach.
"It benefits us locals," he said. "I think we are blessed with all of the small resaurants and boutique-type dining places."
For Costa, the shop is just the first chapter in what he hopes is a success story worthy of TV's "Shark Tank."
"I think I might have to grow, but I thnk this space works," he said. "That is kind of the vision in the long run. I would like to have these everywhere if possible."