Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorrie Pilot.
Hi Dorrie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
If you had asked me ten years ago what my future held, owning a coffee shop wouldn’t have even crossed my mind. At the time, my husband and I were raising our two daughters in a suburban Maryland neighborhood while running our longtime photography business. Life was busy, but it was steady—until March 2020, when everything changed.
With the onset of COVID-19, professional photography came to a screeching halt. In what felt like an instant, our entire world was upended. We were suddenly faced with not only the loss of our income but also the challenge of supporting our daughters through an unimaginable time—our eldest navigating college in quarantine, and our youngest mourning the loss of her senior year in high school. On top of that, we found ourselves racing to my younger adult sibling’s independent living facility just hours before lockdown, bringing her home with us with nothing but the clothes on her back. Amid the chaos, we had something we’d never had before: time. Time to reflect, to reassess, and to think deeply about what we truly wanted for our future.
Little Brick Coffee was born as a spin-off of my husband’s lifelong dream of opening a brewery. A passionate homebrewer, he had always envisioned running his own brewery, but with our thriving photography business, the timing had never felt right. During lockdown, we made it a habit to go on long drives—just to get out of the house—and on one of those drives, we stumbled upon a property for sale. It was an idyllic 8-acre lot with a main building that seemed perfect for a brewery, complete with ample outdoor space for guests to gather. Tucked away on the property was a tiny, 300-square-foot abandoned gas station, and in passing, I casually remarked that it would make a great little coffee shop. That offhand comment turned into something much bigger.
Taking a giant leap of faith, we bought the property, sold our home, and embarked on what we now call our “COVID pivot”—a journey that transformed uncertainty into opportunity and led us to a new chapter we never could have imagined.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think there is ever a time when opening a business is without challenges! There were zoning and permitting challenges along the way, and supply chain issues amplified by COVID. Perhaps the biggest challenge for me personally was that although I certainly enjoyed a good cup of coffee and had been a small business owner previously, I had zero experience in the coffee world! Before we opened I did endless amounts of research and flew to Texas to attend a coffee business master class at the Texas Coffee School.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the most beautiful things about starting your own business from the ground up is the ability to shape every single detail—from the interior design and branding to the menu and, most importantly, the feeling customers experience when they walk through the door. For me, the heart of Little Brick Coffee has always been about creating a welcoming space that not only brings people together but also gives back to the community. And I truly believe we’ve accomplished that. No matter who you are or where you come from, our goal is to make sure you feel at home the moment you step inside. We want you to know that we’re glad you’re here. Our customers don’t just come for our amazing drinks—though our Bonfire Latte and Strawberries & Cream Matcha have definitely become fan favorites–they come because they love the warmth, the friendly faces, and the sense of belonging that fills this tiny 300-square-foot space.
One of the most special parts of Little Brick is my sister, Gillie, who has Down Syndrome. She’s our official “professional cup decorator,” coming in twice a week to hand-draw colorful and cheerful stick figures on coffee cups. Seeing customers’ faces light up when they receive a “Gillie cup” is one of the best parts of my day.
Beyond our doors, giving back has always been at the core of what we do. I firmly believe that our success is directly tied to the support of our community, and it’s important to me that we return that kindness. Every year since we opened, we’ve donated 100% of our gift card sales from Thanksgiving through Christmas to two local organizations serving our community. Last year, we were thrilled to more than double our donation, raising over $6,000. Seeing the impact of our little coffee shop in such a big way was an incredibly rewarding moment.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned along the way is not to be afraid to pivot! You are never to old to re-invent yourself! There is beauty in change!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebrickcoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebrickcoffee
