A recent stop at SoZo Coffee, on the southwest corner of Alma School Road and Warner roads in Chandler, revealed something unexpected: The coffeehouse that’s drawing crowds for live music by night is popular with mommies during the day.
Once the rush of morning commuters subsides, moms with young children start showing up, said owner Lori Morgan, when I commented on how many moms were meeting up in the space. We were chatting over coffee poured by Lori’s spouse, Scott, who’s also barista of the joint. The Morgans were actually on parent duty that morning, too; their three youngsters occupied themselves quietly while mom and dad filled orders and visited with customers, including this one.
At least a dozen moms trickled in between 9 and 10 o’clock, each with one or two children in tow.
The coffeehouse is arranged a bit like a giant living room, and more than one mom treated it that way, spreading a blanket on the carpet, plopping down Junior, and sinking into a couch or armchair amid other women already sipping café and visiting. A playroom tucked down a hallway revealed more parents, chatting while their littles occupied themselves with unfamiliar toys and new playmates.
Still, the place felt surprisingly “Zen,” even with all those kids around. A group of empty nesters sat undisturbed by the front windows. A fellow on a bar stool didn’t bat an eye.
I’m committing it to memory as a place to mention to friends who are feeling the need to get out and meet other moms — and swinging back by when I’m in the neighborhood for another of Scott’s cold-brewed toddies.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6818 or azajac@evtrib.com
