Little Nest Coffee Roasters Hatches Outside Detroit

The Little Nest Coffee Roasters cafe in Grosse Pointe Woods. All images courtesy of Little Nest Coffee Roasters.

A family-friendly new roost for fresh roasts recently hatched in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe Woods with the opening of Little Nest Coffee Roasters.

The 3,400-square-foot location is effectively divided into two wings connected by a hallway. On one side is a coffee bar, seating area and 200-square-foot roasting room where Little Nest co-owner Lindsay Marcano can be seen through a wide window roasting on a 6-kilogram Mill City Roasters MCR-6.

Across the way is a 350-square-foot kids’ play area called the Bird House, plus a classroom called the Aviary for yoga, workshops and other programming.

“Our vision has always been bigger than a coffee shop,” Little Nest co-owner Taylor Spencer told Daily Coffee News. “We hope Little Nest becomes part of our guests’ daily routines and a place where families, friends and neighbors can create lasting memories for years to come.”

After more than a year of planning and construction, Little Nest welcomed its first guests this month. Inside, soft shades of blue, pink and yellow add color without overwhelming the space, while natural wood finishes, warm textures and clean lines balance whimsy and sophistication.

Layered lighting falls across durable upholstered furniture and a range of seating designed to accommodate individuals, families and small groups.

“We wanted to move away from the idea that family-friendly spaces have to feel chaotic or overly child-focused,” Spencer said. “Instead, we designed Little Nest to feel like a modern neighborhood cafe where parents can enjoy exceptional coffee in a thoughtfully designed environment.”

Down the hall, the Bird House provides a dedicated play area for children from birth through age 3. The space includes age-appropriate toys, books, sensory activities and seating for caregivers.

“Creating this space was deeply important to us because, as parents ourselves, we know how isolating it can sometimes feel to leave the house with young children,” Spencer said. “We wanted to create a place where parents don’t have to choose between enjoying a great cup of coffee and meeting the needs of their little ones.”

Little Nest Coffee Roasters was founded in 2025 by Lindsay Marcano and Jason and Taylor Spencer. Jason Spencer is the founding member of the former rock band Wilson, and Taylor Spencer entered the Nest with experience as a licensed massage therapist, certified labor and postpartum doula and entrepreneur.

Marcano’s specialty coffee career has included positions at Michigan companies including Madcap Coffee, New Order Coffee Roasters, Anthology Coffee and Craig’s Coffee, where she gained most of her roasting experience prior to Little Nest.

“We’re looking for coffees that are approachable, memorable and enjoyable to drink every day while also working with people who value strong producer relationships and ethical sourcing practices,” Marcano told DCN. Green coffees come from importers including Royal Coffee, Royal New York and Red Fox Coffee Merchants. “Our top priorities are quality, consistency and transparency.”

Baristas prepare Marcano’s coffees on a pink La Marzocco Linea PB espresso machine, a twin-station Fetco batch brewer and a range of Mahlkönig grinders. House-made syrups include vanilla, chocolate and caramel, alongside seasonal flavors such as pumpkin and apple butter.

“Our goal isn’t to create novelty for novelty’s sake, but rather to offer flavors that feel fun, memorable and thoughtfully crafted,” Spencer said. “We love a good balance between comfort and creativity.”

Little Nest held its grand opening celebration Oct. 11, with free drinks, a community art project, a time capsule and coffee giveaways. A preschool yoga preview took place in the Aviary, where the company plans to expand programming with postpartum support groups, baby massage classes and other events.

The company also plans to expand into wholesale roasted coffee sales.

“Our focus is on becoming a true neighborhood gathering place and somewhere people visit not only for great coffee, but also for connection and community,” Spencer said. “In the months ahead, we’re looking forward to introducing seasonal drink menus, expanding our roasting program, hosting family-friendly events and continuing to create experiences that bring people together.”

Little Nest Coffee Roasters is located at 21003 Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe Woods.

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