“Inspired by my love for coffee, apothecaries & holistic wellness, plus the need for more Black-owned businesses in our community – I was led to action,” reads the ‘story’ section of Zachary Hamlett’s Kickstarter page for The Hamlett.
Coming of age during the height of the pandemic and protests against racial injustice in the US, Hamlett, a 19-year old entrepreneur from San Diego who graduated high school just last year, became determined to do something about the lack of black-owned businesses in his hometown of San Diego.
His soon-to-open shop, The Hamlett, which he co-founded with his sister Shacole Hamlett, will be located in Lemon Grove and is slated to open later this summer. The Hamlett will be a coffee shop, apothecary, and an incubator for black-owned health and wellness startups in San Diego. Beyond meeting San Diego’s coffee and wellness needs, The Hamlett will provide “safe space, educational development, and exposure for up-and-coming black-owned businesses.”
The shop will feature and promote health and wellness products created by black businesses, as well as host educational workshops, project launches, tea tastings, art classes, and other community events.
“Our first goal was to create something that could support our community initiatives. Coffee shops have historically provided a great place to connect. Our niche is coffee x apothecary, you will be able to customize your lattes to serve your health needs – add charcoal after a night of partying, add turmeric for focus, encourage healthy respiratory function in your body while simultaneously adding a delicious flavor with peppermint,” the Hamlett siblings wrote in an email to What Now San Diego.
You’ll definitely want to follow the shop’s social media for updates on the status of the brick-and-mortar. Recent posts reveal murals and wall designs on the shop’s airy interior, as well as products the apothecary will carry for purchase.
“We have a beautiful mural on the outside by artist Darkoski, a mural on the inside by artist Talor’d Designs, and an art exhibit by Brandon Brewer,” the Hamlett siblings added. “We have a well-curated retail selection of apothecary and artisan goods.”
The Hamlett is only waiting on a permit approval from the city. Once it comes through, the shop will be ready to open!
