The couple moved to Olalla from California, where he worked as an electronics engineer for 30 years. Dennis Caraker was born in Port Towsend “when Fort Warden had a true Army base,” and lived in Bremerton, where his grandfather drove a bus.

“I knew the coffee shops down here because he’d stop and get his coffee,” he said. Caraker grew up in a Bremerton that had a lively downtown life — he recalls all the shopping and the activity. After moving to California as a junior high student, he’s often returned to the area, where family members remained.

“I love Bremerton,” he said. “I see nothing but good for it right now.”

Caraker said he “got lucky” and retired at age 46 after working for the Department of Defense in the Mojave Desert in California. The couple have been married for almost two years, and moved to Puget Sound to “get away from the heat” of the desert. A year ago, they walked into Goodies and learned that Souza was ready to sell. Caraker has “always wanted a coffee shop,” but even so it took him a while to consider the purchase.

“I’m relaxed when I’m in this environment,” he said. Both are involved with the business, trying to get established. They have made some changes already, including changing the coffee brand, replacing the coffee machine and the smoothie maker, and bringing in, twice a week, freshly baked bread from the Morning Side Bakery in Port Orchard.

He said the café’s employees have helped with a smooth transition, because they know how to run it better than he does. “The girls are so good, I sleep in and come in at 8 (a.m.),” he said.

Caraker loves to cook, and hopes to be able to expand some day to include a bigger dining area. He feels Bremerton needs more night life, and if more good restaurants come to the area, so will patrons.