My Top Five Pros About Brooklyn Center

Not necessarily in this order. This is really more about the experience of living in BC -- general observations that many residents may or may not confirm.

1) The Coffee. BC is home to Caribou Coffee's Headquarters (check out the store at this location near Highway 100 and France; probably the nicest baristas ever, particularly important with Bou's clients, vendors and company mucky mucks walking through all day. If you're more into Starbucks, there is now a drive-through over by Brookdale and those are fairly rare in the metro. There is a Panera bread by Shingle Creek Pkwy and I-694 that has great coffee and FREE wi-fi for your laptop. One of the best Barnes and Nobles you will find in the metro is the one at Brookdale (complete with cafe).

2) Location. You can get to downtown quick from 94; North and South quick from 100. As a first-ring suburb to Minneapolis, certain sections on the border have a particularly charming, urban feel.

3) Parks. Some big, well-kept parks here. A shame they aren't better frequented. Ponds, trails, playground equipment, etc. Well done I think.

4) Brookdale Government Center. It all comes back to coffee somehow; they have a coffee shop here. The drivers license waiting area has triva on the TV. The library...wow. Cool art, free wi-fi in and near the facility -- a really cute kids section that our son enjoys.

5) Some Cool Small Businesses. The 50's Cafe is fantastic. Another I just tried was the New King Buffet -- awesome (who doesn't love a buffet that enforces an extra charge for wasting food). BC Liquor -- technically government run I guess -- has a small feel, friendly folks and good wine (they have a wine club). A handful of places to check out across Shingle Creek Parkway from the government center.