Karen Patton, the chef and owner of Sweet Potato Café in Stone Mountain, Georgia, has reason to celebrate. Her café recently received a $50,000 grant from the “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” program, a collaboration between American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Patton plans to invest the grant in major upgrades, including new insulated windows, painting, expanding the outdoor patio, improving the garden, and more. The announcement, which came at the end of July, marked a significant milestone for Patton. “The news made me feel like I had truly achieved something,” she told Decaturish.
Patton first heard about the grant last year and decided to apply earlier this year. The application process was extensive, requiring detailed renovation plans and cost estimates. Now, she is eager to bring her vision to life.
Patton’s passion for cooking began with large Sunday family dinners. Though she had a successful 30-year career as a legal secretary, she started catering on the side. When her law firm faced layoffs during the 2009 recession, Patton chose to change her career path and focus on catering full-time.
She retired, attended culinary school, and decided to open a restaurant featuring fresh, local cuisine. After a tiring catering event, Patton and her husband, Darrell, realized they wanted a place where customers could come to them. They found a cozy building in Stone Mountain, ideal for Sweet Potato Café, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, along with a garden where Patton harvests fresh ingredients daily.
Sweet Potato Café has been a beloved local spot for 12 years, known for dishes like loaded sweet potatoes, fried green tomatoes, homemade chicken pot pie, and grilled salmon. The café also serves breakfast and brunch on weekends.
The café gained further recognition when it was featured on the Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible.” Despite the cold weather and quick turnaround, Patton was delighted with the experience.
Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Patton is thankful for her loyal and diverse customers who helped the café endure. She cherishes her connection to the Stone Mountain community and remains dedicated to supporting local businesses.
“I love the area we’re in,” Patton said. “We’ve engaged with the city, and we try to help out and be as supportive as possible. We’re like family here.”
You can learn more about Sweet Potato Café on their official website at TheSweetPotatoCafe.net and follow them on Instagram @SweetPotatoCafe.
Visit the café at 5377 Manor Dr, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083, to support the business.
