Realizing a dream in a coffee cup
Diamond B Coffee was opened October 17, 2022, by owners Marty and Codi Brandon. The local business is the realization of a long-held dream for Marty to move to God’s country — Deep East Texas.
Growing up in the Dallas area with family in Timpson and Appleby, Marty visited the area on long weekends. As a young boy he dreamed of moving here and being a cattle rancher.
As life would have it, this proved to be difficult. In high school he found a passion for haircutting, he got a scholarship for beauty school, had two great children and by 20 was a dad with responsibilities, bills and no way to uproot his life. Seemingly stuck in the big city forever, he worked as hairdresser and later a general contractor.
In 2021 he found himself in a new set of circumstances, single with the kids grown and gone, and nine grandchildren. So, thoughts of moving to the country were revived.
For about the last 20 years, Marty hunted in the Shelby County area to spend at least some time in the country. His deer lease in Neuville meant Center was the closest place for food and hunting accoutrement. It was during this time he fell in love with Shelby County and Center in particular.
By admission, Marty was, and is, a coffee addict. Making lattes for friends and family to show off his skills as a bit of a home barista, he would say, “wouldn’t it be great to open a coffee shop.”
With the prospect of moving to the country in mind, the ideas started to flow. Knowing he had to start over career wise as none of his businesses transferred, the idea of opening a coffee shop was becoming a reality.
While preparing to move in 2021, Marty and Codi began dating, and it was soon apparent that Codi and her son, Shyloh, would be coming with him.
They were married February 22, 2022, at 2:00. “I should be able to remember my anniversary,” Marty laughed.
So they closed up shop, sold his house, moved into their RV, and put all they had into Diamond B’s remodel and opening inventory. Marty said that when they opened, “the credit cards were full, the bank account was empty, and I have never been happier.”
When thinking about a name for the coffee shop, Marty remembered the dreams of moving to east Texas and the brand he had drawn a for his “future” cattle ranch as a child.
Scratching it out for Codi, he asked what she thought. She immediately concurred, “that’s it.”
Though not a cattle ranch, it is a registered brand in Shelby County now and is the inspiration for the coffee shop’s theme.
Diamond B is, in Marty’s words, artisan coffee made by folks who love to serve people. Diamond B focuses on technique and quality at every step of the process. Searching out the best roasts for each type of their coffees, hand prepping every espresso shot, even using a lever machine instead of the automated ones flooding the coffee world to pull the espresso shots.
The “Drip” roast is a dark rich coffee that is great black or dressed up as you like. They even make their own cold brew coffee in house using another roast specifically for that taste profile.
Diamond B offers many food options for breakfast and lunch, ranging from sandwiches, breakfast tacos and kolaches to the now famous Keto Quiche and more. They make many pastries such as muffins, cakes, scones made from scratch, cinnamon rolls and cookies.
Diamond B currently does not have a drive through. Therefore, they rely on technology to accommodate their customers in a timely manner with the Toast Takeout app for ordering ahead and having orders ready and waiting to enjoy.
They have reloadable cards for gifting or just keeping loaded for your own convenience. They will soon offer curbside carry out, and experiments with delivery are under way.
Diamond B is not a ranch, but it is still the vehicle that allowed the Brandon’s to get to east Texas. Marty summed up saying, “If Diamond B failed and I had to get a job, it was worth it because now I’m here. And who knows, maybe the Diamond B Ranch is in my cards for the future!”