Sweetspire Coffee & Bakery

Sweetspire Coffee & Bakery is a specialty coffee roastery, café, and bakery located at 124 East Fourth Street in the Old City neighborhood of Williamsport, PA, co-founded by Lycoming College political science professor Caroline Payne, her husband Nate Steele, and head roaster Brittney Gross — a U.S. Cup Tasters Championship silver medalist whose coffee expertise was shaped by Lycoming’s Warrior Coffee Project, which works directly with farmers in the Dominican Republic to promote ethical sourcing. The café opened in October 2025 and offers specialty coffee drinks, house-roasted beans, fresh pastries, and grab-and-go items, with a strong emphasis on affordability and equitable access to quality food. Beyond the cup, Sweetspire serves as a community hub, regularly hosting events such as civic forums, craft classes, and collaborative workshops to foster connection throughout the Williamsport area.