Our Story

Since 2009, Lee’s Coffee & Tea has been a staple of Downtown Laurel. Leottis “Lee” Barnett opened the shop with a vision of the downtown area coming back alive. She was a visionary and consummate hostess, and there’s even a park named in her honor next to Lee’s (The Leottis Barnett Pocket Park).

In 2017, Aunt Lee passed away, and her great nephew, Dell Smith, took up her cause, adding his own unique spin to her vision. Having lived in thriving communities in the Dallas and Phoenix metropolitan areas, Dell developed a passion for good coffee and places where people can gather, and after moving back home, he wanted to bring that passion with him.

Lee’s is not your typical coffee shop, offering a full menu of sandwiches, salads, and soups. Inspired by the third-wave coffee shops of large cities, where conversation blooms and writers, artists, activists and intellectuals make their mark, we’ve made a conscious decision to slow things down.

So, bring your friends, books, laptops, board games, or just yourself, find one of our many tables or cozy nooks, and enjoy our laid-back atmosphere, free wi-fi, and wonderful hospitality. Come and stay awhile, y’all.