When Doug and Tanya Bond moved to Atlanta from California more than 30 years ago, Doug wanted to bring the West Coast coffee scene to the city. While Tanya pursued an opportunity at Deloitte, Doug began to build his vision for San Francisco Coffee Roasting Company.
The Bonds opened the first location in 1992 in Virginia-Highland, serving as a trailblazer on the Atlanta coffee scene. It later expanded to Candler Park and the Georgia Tech campus. At the inception of the brand, Doug’s goal was clear: to enhance the Atlanta coffee scene and bring some of California’s laid-back coffeehouse atmosphere to the East Coast.
Now, the Bonds are expanding with two new locations, starting with a downtown location opening at 1441 Peachtree St. NE on April 4. The team has also taken a lease at the Sage Hill shopping center in Druid Hills. They are currently designing that 2,700-square-foot space, which Doug told What Now Atlanta they hope to open during the summer.
San Francisco Coffee has become more than just a coffeehouse — the longstanding brand has become a staple destination in Virginia-Highland, drawing locals and tourists alike even as new coffee brands have exploded onto the Atlanta scene.
“It’s a pretty legendary place,” Doug said. “It’s a destination. People get here, they land and they go, ‘Where are we going to get coffee? We’re going to Virginia Highlands to San Francisco Coffee.’”
The Midtown location opening this week will serve small-batch coffee roasted in-house at San Francisco Coffee’s Virginia-Highland coffeehouse. The menu will feature espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha, house-made syrups, fresh baked goods and breakfast and lunch offerings. It will also feature a large outdoor patio and rotating local art displays.
Signature drinks include the Special Blend, a sweetened espresso drink, and the Rock n’ Roll Recovery, featuring caramel cold brew.
