City of Sandy Springs Selects Summit Coffee as New Tenant for Williams-Payne House

The City of Sandy Springs announced that Summit Coffee Sandy Springs, a café and creamery concept led by local resident Adam Cook, will become the newest tenant at the historic Williams-Payne House. The project represents a major milestone as the first food and beverage business to open as part of the next phase of City Springs’ development.

Founded in 1998, Summit Coffee operates 21 cafés across the Southeast and is recognized for its small-batch roasting, sustainability practices and community-oriented approach. The Sandy Springs location will serve both as a café and a seasonal Summit Creamery, marking the brand’s first creamery outside its flagship in Davidson, North Carolina. The concept is designed to foster “third-place” connections, with programming that includes live music, maker markets, wine tastings and community workshops.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities in City Springs for people to come, hang out with friends and enjoy the varied amenities City Springs affords,” said Mayor Rusty Paul. “We believe Summit Coffee’s plan for the site fits well with our long-term vision for the district.”

The project also reflects the City’s continued commitment to adaptive reuse and the preservation of its historic assets. The restored 1869 farmhouse, formerly home to the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, will be reimagined as a neighborhood gathering space featuring indoor and outdoor seating, an event lawn and an outdoor bar—continuing the property’s legacy as a community hub.

More than 50 businesses expressed interest in the site before Summit Coffee was selected. The company’s decision to invest locally and introduce its only off-flagship creamery concept underscores the value of the Sandy Springs market and the strength of the City’s collaborative business environment.

The City’s partnership with Summit Coffee marks the next chapter in the building’s storied history and the continued evolution of City Springs as the civic and cultural heart of Sandy Springs.