Fresh off its designation as the region’s best coffeehouse by Northern Virginia Magazine readers, Weird Brothers Coffee is brewing an expansion to Vienna.
The Herndon-based coffee roaster is working to open its first franchise shop in Windover Square at 106 Lawyers Road. Construction is now underway in the storefront previously occupied by 29th Parallel Coffee, which can still be found in Fairfax Station.
The Vienna shop is on track to open this summer, though a more definitive date hasn’t been determined yet, Weird Brothers owner Paul Olsen told FFXnow.
“We are getting close,” he said by email. “We have been working hard to train our Franchisee and ensure they are prepared to open at full capacity.”
An Army veteran who’s lived in the D.C. region since returning from Iraq in 2004, Olsen started Weird Brothers Coffee with his brother, Kenny, in 2015 as a small truck that traveled throughout the area.
Natives of California, the brothers shared a lifelong love of coffee and grew up with the drink as a centerpiece of social events, whether they were just chatting with family in the kitchen or meeting friends at a local shop, Olsen says.
After retiring from the military in 2009, he wanted to bring the same quality but welcoming coffeehouse culture to his adopted home of Northern Virginia.
“Many neighborhoods in Northern Virginia were in desperate need for independent coffee houses that not only offered freshly roasted goodness but offered that inclusive welcoming space that Kenny & I were used to,” Olsen said.
The brothers self-financed their mobile coffee bar for a couple of years before deciding to establish a permanent neighborhood roastery and coffee house. In May 2017, Weird Brothers Coffee opened its first brick-and-mortar location in the Sunset Business Park at 321 Sunset Park Drive, where it still operates.
The excitement of a dream fulfilled was cut short by Kenny Olsen’s unexpected death due to a drug overdose in August 2017. Community members raised more than $2,000 to support the family when Paul temporarily stepped away from the business to mourn.
Remembering his brother as a “caring and generous, fun-loving soul,” Paul Olsen says he remains committed to their shared vision of an inclusive coffeehouse that combines goofiness “with great drinks and food.” Weird Brothers is active in the community, supporting charities like the Chris Atwood Foundation as well as other local businesses and schools.
“We will always take our coffee seriously but never take ourselves too seriously,” Olsen said, pointing to the shop’s expansive food and drink offerings.
In addition to the main menu of coffees, teas, paninis, pastries and breakfast items, Weird Brothers has a “mischief” menu that features seasonal specials and unique dessert beverages, often with fantasy-themed names like Elven Blade or Wookie’s Kiss.
“We never stop creating and looking to offer new and exciting things for our customers,” Olsen continued. “Even though we roast some seriously good coffees, we will never judge anyone for how they may want to drink it.”
Since its initial launch, Weird Brothers has added a second Herndon location at Worldgate Centre and expanded to Leesburg. But the Vienna location will be its first attempt to widen its reach through franchising.
The business began seeking operators for new locations in Virginia and Maryland earlier this year, hoping to share its “coffee and vibe with as many people as we can.”
“Our first Franchisees were drawn to the vibrant culture of Vienna,” Olsen said. “When they found the space was available, they could not pass up the opportunity. We are looking to expand throughout the DMV and this opportunity is a perfect start!”
The Vienna shop will serve the full drink and food menu that’s available at the Worldgate and Leesburg locations, but at about 1,600 square feet in size, it will have more room for seating, accommodating 30 to 40 people.
Now hiring for baristas and shift leads, Olsen says the franchise will welcome any qualified candidates that take their coffee and customer service seriously “without taking their selves too seriously.”
“Every Weird Bros location has a similar vibe but they are all unique in their own ways,” he wrote to FFXnow. “Customers will see our familiar color scheme and themes but the store will have it’s own personality. We are allowing all of our Franchisees to let their own creative juices flow through their locations!”
