Brighton Coffee Shop Great for Kids and Work-At-Home Moms

I love a good cup of joe—especially now that I’m a work-at-home mom. Whether I’m up getting work done before my son wakes or trying to get through hours of blocks and balls after a long night in front of the computer, caffeine gets me by.

Usually, I make my coffee at home. But now that the weather is finally breaking, my son and I have been walking into town almost every day. And I’ll admit that I’ve been cutting corners. Instead of spending 10 minutes making a pot of coffee, I make a two-minute stop to get my fix.

Lately, I’ve been hitting up on Main Street on the way to the Imagination Station or .  

Two Brothers opened in December of 2008. The owner, Jim Starnes, started up the shop after retiring from the Oakland County Sherriff’s Department. His brother owns the building and the business—the Vitamin Company—next door.  

Jim was attracted to downtown Brighton because of the close-knit, small town feel.

“I like to be able to watch the town go by and give people a place to come to do the same. It helps keep that downtown feel. When I was a kid, that’s just what you did, ride downtown,” Starnes said.

Other than gourmet, Michigan-roasted coffee, Two Brothers' menu includes specialty teas, espresso, deli sandwiches and homemade pastries—all the typical coffee shop fare.      

It’s also the perfect place for a break. I’m lucky enough to work from home, but it’s not always an easy task. I can’t always just tuck myself away and expect peace and quiet. When I need to escape, I head into town to Two Brothers Coffee.

In addition to free and unlimited wi-fi, Two Brothers has the comfiest armchairs ever. And they’re stationed in front of a fluttering electric fireplace. I can get my work done and take a break at the same time. And I can stay as long as I like—providing I pack up before closing time.

Children are more than welcome at Two Brothers Coffee. There’s a nook especially for kids, complete with a child-size table and chairs, crayons, and coloring books. Starnes even keeps DVDs on hand for children. He also stocks no-sugar-added juices, sodas, and Guernsey ice cream.

“Kids have to try an Orange Crush. It’s like a rite of passage,” Starnes said. “I remember my first sip and I remember giving my son his first sip.”

Starnes also plans to add peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese sandwiches to the menu.

Whether I’ve got my son or my laptop in tow, Two Brothers is my go-to coffee shop. Even when I’m not on duty, it’s a great place to watch the town go by.

Two Brothers is also very pet-friendly. If your dog is your child, bring in a framed photo and receive a free cup of coffee.