March 2026 Edition

If you've ever strolled down North Trade Street and caught the smell of fresh espresso drifting out of a cozy old house tucked right in the heart of downtown Matthews, you already know the place. And if you somehow haven't wandered in yet — well, neighbor, we need to talk. Brakeman's Coffee & Supply isn't just a coffee shop. It's one of those rare spots that makes you remember why you love living in a small town in the first place.

Let's catch up on everything happening at one of Matthews' most beloved gathering spots.

Before we get to the lattes, let's talk about the building, because the history alone is worth knowing.

The charming old house at 225 N Trade Street has been standing since 1902. It was originally built by Barnham and Amanda Sustar — and here's the part that sounds almost too perfect to be true — Barnham was a fireman for the railroad. The very house that now serves as a coffee shop rooted in railroad lore was literally built by a railroad man. In 1906, Amanda planted a pecan tree in the yard that still stands in the parking lot today. Over the decades, as Matthews grew up around it, neighbors would gather on that same front porch to watch parades roll down Trade Street.

The floorboards still creak in that wonderfully charming way that no sleek modern renovation could ever replicate. A grand train station clock watches over the ordering line. The sunroom, the upstairs nook, the cozy leather couches — it all adds up to a space that feels genuinely lived in, because it has been. In 2018, a man named John Garland — the grandson of Barnham and Amanda — walked through the door and told the staff they were "standing in his bedroom." He toured the house with them, pointing out where the old cistern sat (now the back bathroom) and confirming the story of that famous pecan tree.

This is not just a coffee shop. It's a piece of Matthews history in a cup.

Brakeman's was born out of a moment of community instinct. When the previous Matthews coffee shop closed in 2016, a group of local families saw a short window and jumped through it. They started meeting and asking a simple but powerful question: What if our growing town had a new coffee shop as welcoming as the town itself?

After a few weeks of scheming, three families — the Baysdens, the Johnsons, and the Moores — made it happen. Brakeman's officially opened in 2017. Today, co-owners David Johnson and Mark Moore continue to run the shop alongside a dedicated management team led by Scott Beaubien and Kyra York.

What's especially worth knowing about these owners is what drives them outside of coffee. The Johnson family runs Silent Images, a nonprofit storytelling organization, and the Moore family leads Mana, another nonprofit doing community good. The spirit of service and connection isn't a marketing angle at Brakeman's — it's genuinely baked into who these people are.

As David Johnson once put it, the vision was always about more than a transaction: "We wanted a space that was life-giving. We're not rooted in making money. How do we make sure that this space is embraced by everybody?"

That philosophy shows up every single day.

You'll see the phrase "Keeping Matthews Slow" on their Instagram bio, their signage, and woven into just about everything they do — and it's not just a catchy tagline. It's the whole point.

The name "Brakeman" comes from a real railroad job. While the engineer got all the glory for speeding the locomotive forward, the brakeman — tucked away at the back of the train — was the one who made sure everyone arrived safely. Brakeman's Coffee sees itself in that same role: a counterweight to a world that keeps asking us to go faster, do more, scroll longer.

When you walk through the door, the invitation is intentional. Sink into one of those big leather couches. Camp out in the sunroom with your laptop. Sit on the front porch and watch downtown Matthews do its thing. Take a meeting upstairs in the quiet nook. Bring your dog to the back patio. Let the kids play in the little corner with toys tucked under the stairs.

The vibe is genuinely "stay as long as you need to." And in 2026, that feels like a gift.

Now, let's talk coffee — because it's exceptional and deserves its own section.

Brakeman's partners with Haerfest Coffee of Davidson, NC, a roaster with 30 years of world-class expertise, to develop their exclusive Brakeman's Blend. Beans are delivered weekly to ensure every cup is as fresh as possible. Beyond their signature blend, the shop also rotates in feature coffees on drip from hand-selected roasters around the country — so there's always something new to try if you're feeling adventurous.

The menu runs the full range of what a great coffee shop should offer: drip coffee, cold brew, espresso drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, americanos), matcha, chai lattes, hot teas, nitro coffee, hot chocolate, shakes, and smoothies. Prices are refreshingly reasonable, generally running in the $2.50–$5.00 range.

And then there are the signatures — the drinks that Brakeman's fans will argue about passionately:

The food side of things includes pastries and baked goods sourced from a local bakery, including cookies that reviewers consistently mention by name. Dietary-friendly options abound — oat, almond, and coconut milk are all on hand, and there are gluten-free choices available too.

Oh, and heads up: they recently updated their menu, so if it's been a while since you've been in, there may be some new things to discover.

One of the most consistent things people say about Brakeman's is that it never quite feels the same twice. And that's by design.

The shop occupies multiple rooms of the historic house, and the local artwork displayed throughout rotates regularly as pieces sell. You might come in one week and notice a new photograph series on the wall, or a set of paintings from a local artist you've never encountered before. Supporting local creators is woven into the fabric of how Brakeman's operates.

Here's a rough map of your options on any given visit:

Free WiFi, plenty of outlets, a microwave available for customer use, and two public restrooms round out the practical amenities. Parking is free on the street out front or in the lot behind the building near the railroad tracks.

One note for accessibility: the primary entrances involve stairs. However, the shop is accessible through the back entrance for those who need it.

What sets Brakeman's apart from every chain coffee shop within 15 miles isn't the latte art. It's what happens when you sit down inside.

The owners designed this place to be ecumenical — welcoming to everyone, regardless of background, belief, or lifestyle. That's not a talking point; they've put it into practice in real ways. A few years back, they placed a large menorah on the front of the building during the holiday season, partnering with a local Jewish group to host a public lighting ceremony, because they wanted their Christian neighbors to understand and appreciate that story too. It was a small gesture with a big message: everyone is welcome here.

The regulars at Brakeman's are a genuine cross-section of Matthews. On any given morning you'll find laptop workers deep in focus, parents with toddlers running around the patio, college students studying, neighbors catching up over an hour-long coffee, and small business owners holding informal meetings in the nook upstairs. The 8,400+ followers on Instagram and nearly 3,500 Facebook fans speak to a community that genuinely feels connected to this place.

If you're new to Matthews and wondering how to plug in, sitting down at Brakeman's for a Saturday morning is one of the best things you can do. You'll know someone by the time you leave.

Brakeman's is active on social media and it's worth a follow if you want to stay current on seasonal drinks, any pop-up events, and the occasional community announcement.

Their social channels are also where you'll hear about things like holiday hours, new menu drops, and local artist features — so it's genuinely worth keeping an eye on.

Address: 225 N Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105 Phone: (704) 841-7867 Hours: Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sunday: Closed

Parking: Free street parking on Trade Street, or the free lot behind the building near the railroad tracks.

Pro tip from the regulars: Weekday mornings tend to be the most peaceful if you're coming to work or have a meeting. Saturday mornings are lively and social — great if you want the full community energy.

There's a reason Brakeman's has become a staple in downtown Matthews. In a world that keeps telling us to hustle harder and move faster, this little 1902 house on Trade Street has quietly become one of the best arguments for slowing down.

Whether you've been coming here since they opened, or you've been meaning to stop in for two years and just haven't gotten around to it — make this the week. Order the Ticket Please. Sit on the porch. Let the train of your life slow down for an hour.

Matthews is lucky to have them.

Have a local business or community story you'd like to see featured in an upcoming edition? Reply to this email and let us know. We love spotlighting the people and places that make Matthews the town it is.

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© 2026 The Matthews Pulse newsletter. Made with love in Matthews, NC.

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