In a post last week I mentioned Rockport’s lack of year-round restaurant options, especially downtown, so it was exciting to walk along Main Street just a few days later to see that a new coffee shop has opened up in the location of the old Rockport standby, The Coffee Shop. (I was always so impressed that the owners of The Coffee Shop had the gumption to give their business that name, as though it was the ultimate coffee shop – which actually was the case for many locals and visitors – that I always referred to it as The Coffee Shop).
The new coffee shop on Main Street is named Brother’s Brew Coffee Shop, and is owned by a member of the Brackett family, who have a seasonal restaurant next door. The highlights about Brother’s Brew, besides the fact that it is extremely charming?
- The very cool chrome-and-vinyl-stools and laminate counter are still there.
- The menu includes many old favorites and has expanded.
- The business is open on Sundays.
That last one is big news y’all. Locals and visitors can wander in throughout the entire weekend, which is a big deal for anyone paying attention to the dining options downtown, and an expansion of the hours that the previous coffee shop kept. And there is even the possibility of opening at night when an event is taking place at the Shalin Liu Performance Center a few doors down. While this won’t solve the problem of lack of adequate places to dine in the evening (or in the daytime), it will at least contribute to a culture of liveliness downtown, with a few places keeping the lights on, so to speak.
Oh – and before you go there in person to buy some coffee and a treat for yourself, be sure to head over to the Brother’s Brew Coffee Shop facebook page and connect with them online. The page posts daily specials and other coffee shop news, so you’ll be the first to know when the doughnuts are fresh and the soup’s on.
Good Morning Gloucester 