New Summit Coffee now open on The Plaza as local biz continues expansion

What’s happening: Summit opened its first Charlotte shop in December 2020 in NoDa. Now, it opened a franchise location about a mile away on The Plaza between the Villa Heights and Plaza Hills neighborhoods.

• Summit is also opening cafés in SouthPark, Mooresville and in the Lake Norman area.

What to expect: The Plaza location, owned by Will and Eleanor Funderburg, is within the LPA Urban redevelopment project that will also be home to Charlotte-based Rocket Pizza.

• The 1,790-square-foot space is about twice as big as Summit’s NoDa store and will include an outdoor patio and a grab-and-go shelf at the front for quick takeout service.
• Like Summit’s other locations, the one on The Plaza will stay open all day with wine, beer and live music available in the evening.

Will, a Davidson College graduate, and Eleanor tell me they wanted to become franchise owners to deepen their connection with the local community, to employ local people and to “make memories” with their family. The Funderburgs live around the corner from the shop in Plaza Midwood.

Menu: You’ll find a similar coffee selection here as at other Summits — with its classic batch coffee as well as a seasonal drink menu.

• Eleanor’s go-to drink is an oat milk cappuccino, and Will’s is a large coffee with almond milk.

What’s next: Summit plans to expand beyond North Carolina in the coming months and years. Right now, the team has their eyes on Charleston and Atlanta as well as more franchise locations in Charlotte, Asheville and the Triangle.

Here’s a look around.

Editor’s note: This article was last updated on May 6, 2022 with the latest information and photos of Summit’s new shop. It was first published in September, 2021.

Need some caffeine now? Check out our guide to the best local coffee shops here.