Stephanie Spear 
Northern Virginia is full of coffee shops, yet Weird Brothers Coffee has carved out a space that feels distinct. With three locations, a focus on local partnerships, and a strong sense of community, the business has grown steadily over the years. Behind the in-house roasted beans and quirky drink names is the personal story of founders Kenny and Paul Olsen – the OG Weird Brothers. Read on for more about Weird Brothers and what sets this shop apart.
Behind the Weird Story
Founder Paul Olsen had thought about starting a coffee shop for a long time. Paul and his brother and co-founder, Kenny, were influenced by the coffee shop culture of their hometown in the Bay Area. “They had a community, collaborative environment,” he said, plus on-site roasting. During his time in the Army, Paul traveled throughout the world, sampling coffee and visiting coffee farms in East Africa and Ethiopia. “That just fueled the fire big time,” he said, about his time overseas. “It was exciting, learning about the process from the bean all the way to the cup.”
Paul retired from the Army in 2009 and settled in Herndon. After retiring from the Army in 2009 and finding his subsequent work as a government contractor unfulfilling, Paul decided to pursue something that would “give back to our community and make us happy,” which was the long-imagined coffee business with his brother Kenny, who also moved to the area.
As for the name, it’s an homage to Paul and Kenny’s childhood. “We were goofballs,” Paul said. “We danced to the beat of our own drummer.” Growing up, neighborhood kids called Paul and Kenny “the weird brothers,” and when it came time to name the business, they didn’t overthink it.
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They also made a conscious decision to reject the typical “cookie-cutter, pretentious coffee house” vibe. “We wanted our coffee business to have personality,” Paul said. You can see the influence in the sci-fi-inspired drink names, the fun mix of art on display from local artists, and the lineup of other local businesses whose products are sold at the shops.
The business officially launched in late 2015, starting with a coffee truck in early 2016. By 2017, they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Herndon’s Sunset Business Park—where they still roast all their beans today. As the business was growing, Kenny was privately struggling with addiction. He died in 2017 from an overdose.“It was a shock… I didn’t understand the depth of his struggles,” Paul said.
More Than Coffee
One of the most important parts of Weird Brothers isn’t on the menu. Inside the shop, customers will find free Narcan and fentanyl testing kits available, no questions asked. The impact has been real – customers have shared that they’ve used Narcan from the shop to save friends and family members.
The initiative came from Paul’s partnership with the Reston-based Chris Atwood Foundation, and it’s directly tied to Kenny’s story. Founder Ginny Atwood also lost her brother to an overdose. The foundation is dedicated to recovery and to erasing the stigma surrounding the opioid addiction crisis.
“We offer hope with no judgment,” Paul said. It’s a quiet but powerful extension of the shop’s mission—and a way to carry Kenny’s legacy forward. For Paul, the initiative is a way to honor Kenny’s legacy. “He was the biggest-hearted, kindest, most giving person ever,” he said.
What to Order
With such a large menu, and rotating seasonal specials, it’s hard to stick to just one order. Paul said that he’s a purist and prefers a straightforward cold brew. For a hot drink, he likes the Cortado for its smaller milk-to-espresso ratio. For flavored drinks, he likes the Potions Master latte, which combines chocolate, hazelnut, and a hint of cinnamon, and is also a nod to his love for Harry Potter fandom (The Fairfax Girl can confirm this drink’s tastiness).
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Weird Brothers also partners with several Northern Virginia businesses. Baked goods come from The Bakeshop Republic, The Difference Baker, and Midnight Treats Cookies, while Empanadas Mendoza supplies savory options. River Sea Chocolates and Dominion Tea contribute specialty products. The shops also carry candles and other small goods made by local vendors.
The art on the walls is from local artists and most of it is for sale. Each location hosts a variety of events, and the business is a regular sponsor of local organizations, schools, and charities.
Now, there are three Weird Brothers locations throughout Northern Virginia, with more to come. Two are in Herndon, including the original Roasting Factory location, and another in Worldgate Plaza. The third location is in Leesburg. In early 2026, the team opened up franchise opportunities, so there may be more Weird throughout Northern Virginia soon.
Weird Brothers Coffee has three locations: Worldgate Centre at 13035 A Worldgate Drive in Herndon (Sunday -Thursday 7PM – 4PM; Friday + Saturday 7AM – 6PM); The Roasting Factory at 321 Sunset Park Drive in Herndon (daily 6AM – 6PM), and Leesburg Village at 1601 Village Market Blvd SE #122 in Leesburg (Sunday -Thursday 7PM – 4PM; Friday + Saturday 7AM – 6PM).
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