My Neighborhood: Delray Beach, Florida

Zoey Wexler Zoey Wexler grew up with cookies—baked goods were a family affair. Her mother, Debbie, ran a wholesale bakery until Wexler, a Florida native, was a high school senior in nearby Boca. But the business looks very different today: Two Fat Cookies keeps chocolate chip connoisseurs happy from its retail storefront just off Delray Beach’s main drag, Atlantic Ave. (Her father, Jimmy, and brother, Koby, are also in the biz.) Although Wexler has a degree in risk management and insurance, she plied her trade as a pastry chef in Saratoga Springs, New York, and became fluent in the language of indulgence. Among her most popular offerings: the gluten-free Walnut Chewy (“like an underbaked brownie”), the Fiesta Cookie (a sugar cookie with a cake-batter and buttercream filling), and the OMG Brownie (a bar layered with chocolate chip cookie, Oreo, and brownie). “I love that on just one small street—Atlantic Avenue—there’s so much to do and enjoy!” says Wexler. It’s a sweet life by the beach, especially when your tools of the trade are chocolate ganache and rainbow sprinkles for days. —by Drew Limsky ART EFFECTS Cornell Art Museum Occupying a historic, cultural corner of Delray Beach is the Cornell Art Museum (51 N. Swinton Ave., 561.243.7922). Featuring contemporary art, the century-old building with the stately masonry style—formerly the Delray Elementary School—is set within the Old School Square Historic Arts District . The museum sparkles from a million-dollar interior facelift in 2017 (the white walls are offset by polished wood floors). It also functions as a coveted event space, as Wexler knows well—she got married there. Various tours of the museum and the district are available. HOT TAMALES One of Wexler’s go-to eateries is El Camino (15 NE Second Ave., 561.865.5350), which serves up Mexican soul food and a range of mezcals and tequilas. “I’m a traditionalist,” she says, “so I generally order the classic margarita.” She praises the street corn—with lime aioli, cilantro, chipotle, and cotija cheese—as “probably the best I’ve ever had.” Hardier standouts include the chorizo tacos, the braised pork tamales, and the brisket quesadillas with Monterey Jack cheese. IN STYLE For cute designer clothes, gifts, and accessories, Wexler likes Coco & Co. (209 E. Atlantic Ave., 561.303.1008). She prizes the curated merchandise: “It’s not things that you would see in a chain store,” she says. “It’s a cute boutique for the 20-to-45-year-old range, a good crossover demographic.” Her latest purchases include gifts for friends and earrings for herself. The shop wins raves for its personalized service. IT’S A RACKET Delray Beach Tennis Center South Florida is tennis central, and the Delray Beach Tennis Center (102 W. Atlantic Ave., 561.243.7360), which has hosted the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup, is one of the finest facilities of its kind in the region, with a stadium that holds 8,200. “It draws a huge influx of tourists and tennis enthusiasts,” Wexler says. Pro player and local star Coco Gauff electrifies fans with her exhibition matches here. Find your next home in Delray Beach, FL today.