Old Fourth Ward’s Condesa Coffee Cafe Gets New Owner

Anthony Montague, who owns and operates Buford-based Just Be Organic Smoothie Bar, intends to keep the coffee shop running as is, while incorporating some of his smoothie recipes.
Old Fourth Ward’s Condesa Coffee Cafe Gets New Owner
Photo: @condesacoffee on Instagram

Condesa Coffee Cafe & Espresso Bar, the local shop that’s been operating in the Old Fourth Ward at 480 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE for the past 12 years, was acquired yesterday, Mar 20, by Anthony Montague of Buford-based Just Be Organic Smoothie Bar. 

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The transaction was helmed by Steve Josovitz of The Shumacher Group, who represented both the seller and the landlord, effectively guiding all parties to a successful closing.

Montague tells What Now Atlanta that initially, he intended to rebrand Condesa into a Just Be Organic outpost, however, after learning more about what the company represented, and what it means to the community, he decided instead to carry on its legacy.

“During my visit with Daniela [Staiculescu] and Octavian [Stan], the previous owners, I loved the brand, I loved how it contributed to the community and I felt at that point I could not take that away after 12 years,” says Montague. “So I decided to keep the brand as Condesa, I decided to keep the coffee just like it is – I just want to primarily add a new energy to the location, and be more active in the community.” 

Montague is currently having conversations with Condesa employees, to figure out what its customers have “either wanted or needed.” That includes smoothies and juices, which Montague has plenty of experience serving up at his existing smoothie bar, Just Be Organic. 

“As you can imagine, being that close to the BeltLine, there’s probably some people that would enjoy a fresh juice or smoothie,” says Montague. “So we do believe we’re going to incorporate it into that space. But again, Condesa as coffee is going to be the primary business there.”

According to its website, Condesa is “passionate about details. The details of a perfect shot of espresso from Baroida, Papua New Guinea, an Ethiopian pour-over, or our homemade chocolate syrup – they matter.”

The company partners with various vendors such as Counter Culture Coffee, Rishi Tea, and Alon’s Bakery, while making many of its small plates like the Grilled Beet Sandwich, Grilled Ham and Pesto, and Pimento Grilled Cheese in-house using organic ingredients.

Similarly, given its location at the epicenter of a significant area that includes the Jackson Street Bridge, Freedom Parkway Bike Trail, Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site, and Sweet Auburn Historic District, the brand is “committed to good urbanism” and is “proud to be part of our beloved Old Fourth Ward community.”      

When not operating Just Be Organic and now Condesa, Montague, who has lived in Georgia for 15 years, works for communications and automotive brand Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business that’s taught the entrepreneur about having a positive impact.

“They do teach us a lot about family values, great company to work for, and I think, again, I want to do some of the same things for the community…especially the Old Fourth Ward.”

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.
Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock

Drew Pittock is an independent contributor covering various markets across What Now's portfolio. He’s an avid record collector, amateur chef, compulsive estate sale shopper, and “Antiques Roadshow” binge watcher. Originally from Los Angeles, Drew now lives in El Paso, TX with his wife and their two cats.
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