Faye Ross and David Mars (center) cut the ribbon on their new business, Sammi Faye’s Cafe and Coffeehouse located at 25 S. Main St.
(Posted Oct. 4, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
A new cafe and coffeehouse has opened in downtown London.
Sammi Faye’s at 25 S. Main St. held a ribbon-cutting and festivities on Sept. 23. Owners Faye Ross and David Mars are excited to offer a family-friendly, comfortable, communal atmosphere in which to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and coffee with a purpose.
The cafe and coffeehouse is an outgrowth of a pop-up cafe Ross operated at a farmers market in Ashville, Ohio. Her signature sandwich, the “egg sammi,” gained a following, and then Ross got interested in offering coffee, too.
The jump to a bricks-and-mortar building became possible through Mars Properties Services for which Ross serves as COO and head of creative design and Mars serves as CEO. For the past several years, Mars Properties has been remodeling and renovating properties and historic buildings in London. The storefront at 25 S. Main seemed like a perfect fit for a cafe and coffeehouse.
“We decided, ‘Why not take a chance?” Ross said.
Sammi Faye’s serves breakfast and lunch. Breakfast offerings include the egg sammi, featuring an egg, sharp cheddar cheese, and a sweet and spicy sauce between two slices of everything-bagel seasoned sheet biscuits. Sausage gravy focaccia is another hearty choice. Half portions of both items are on the kids’ menu, along with a crustless sandwich filled with strawberry jam, peanut butter, bananas, and honey.
Lunch items include a seasonal kale salad, spring salad, and house focaccia bread with marinara sauce. Chicken can be added to the salads. The kids’ lunch menu offers half portions of the salads, along with the crustless sandwich. Sweet treats include pound cake, inspired a 100-year-old family recipe, and pumpkin roll, available by the slice or whole (with 48-hour notice). Seasonal dishes will be rotated in with these staple menu items.
“Everything is fresh. Nothing is frozen. We source ingredients as close to home as possible and strive to make our food from scratch,” Ross said.
As for the coffee, Ross did a lot of research before choosing to go with Roosevelt Coffee Roasters out of Columbus as her coffee source.
“They took me under their wing and taught me everything I need to know,” Ross said. “Part of the proceeds of the beans we buy from them goes back to a non-profit that provides safe water sources in communities overseas and helps to feed the homeless.”
Sammi Faye’s drink menu includes coffee, espresso, ice coffee, and French press with options for creamers and syrups, along with iced and hot tea, lemonade infused with berries, white and chocolate milk, and bottled water.
Sammi Faye’s is open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast runs until 11:30 a.m.; lunch hours are 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The shop is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
For more information, call (740) 490-7306 or visit sammifayes.com.
