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PHOTO BY CAPEHART

Christian Le Clainche was born in Miami but has called Palm Beach County home since he was 3 years old. 

After graduating from Cardinal Newman High School and earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida, he then completed a joint Jurisprudence/Business degree program at Nova Southeastern University.

Life was going exactly according to plan — until Christian, with some inspiration from his big brother Alex, decided to deviate from the plan in the most glorious way possible.

“I passed the Florida Bar in 2014 and was preparing to begin a legal career when my older brother, Alex, began turning his passion for roasting coffee into a business,” recalled Christian.

At the time, he says, “I knew very little about specialty coffee, as I was a Dunkin’
Donuts drinker throughout college. Once I experienced freshly roasted coffee, I was hooked. Alex was focused on roasting, but we realized we needed real café experience, so I moved to Austin, Texas, for eight months to immerse myself in one of the country’s best specialty coffee scenes.”

When Christian returned home, he and Alex founded Pumphouse Coffee Roasters in April 2016.

“We originally started roasting coffee in a small industrial space in Jupiter and as the business grew, we wanted to create a destination where people could experience coffee being roasted, brewed, and enjoyed all in one place,” recalls Christian. “That vision became a reality when we signed a lease in the Warehouse District and opened The Pumphouse Pouratorium. During that process, I moved to Downtown West Palm Beach, where I still live today.

Christian grew up surfing in Palm Beach County and says that hobby “had a huge influence on who I am and on the identity of our company. Many specialty coffee brands draw inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, but we wanted our brand to reflect the warmth, color, and laid-back energy of South Florida.”

Now, he says, he and Alex are “focused on building great coffee products, meaningful relationships, and a team that shares our passion for hospitality.”

What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

The walkability is what I appreciate most. Every morning, my wife, daughter, and I walk along the waterfront, and it’s become one of our favorite family routines. We love the energy of Downtown and being able to walk to restaurants, events, and the waterfront. Professionally, it’s also exciting to be part of such a vibrant community. We recently opened our newest café at 300 Banyan, and it’s been wonderful to become part of the daily rhythm of Downtown. 

What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach? 

In addition to walking everywhere, we also enjoy dining at Pistache and Elisabetta’s. The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is another highlight. Next season will mark our 10th year as a GreenMarket vendor, and it’s been incredible to watch both the market and the Downtown District continue to grow. 

How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here? 

The growth and development have been remarkable. Like with any growing city, there have been challenges, but the positive changes have far outweighed any downsides. Downtown has become a place where people want to live, work, and spend leisure time, creating tremendous opportunities for small businesses like ours. 

Beyond the business growth, what’s been most rewarding is meeting so many new residents, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are excited to invest in the community and call Downtown home.