FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED TO HELP HAMLETT COFFEE HOUSE IN LEMON GROVE

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East County News Service

January 13, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Hamlett, Lemon Grove’s happening new gathering spot and coffeehouse. Opened six months ago, the start-up venture has weathered a pandemic, vandalisms, equipment failures and other financial set-backs. So now owner Shacole Hamlett is asking the public for help – and he has a detailed plan for long-term sustainability--with a little help from the community.

“Despite it all we have continued to serve our community, making amazing new connections and trying to bring joy, laughter, and love to each person who walks through our doors,” he says. “Our mission has never been about us, it's been about the community, creating space, and supporting local entrepreneurs!”

The Hamlett isn’t just a coffee shop serving up delicious fresh-brewed beverages.  It’s a showplace for community events such as open mic and comedy nights, workshops and more. It’s also an outlet for local businesses to sell wares ranging from teapots to soaps and launch their own new enterprises.

“The holiday months have proven to be more of a challenge than we anticipated,” Hamlett states on his GoFundMe site. ‘We have implemented almost every trick in the book to overcome this natural dip in guests and revenues, to no avail.”

That includes offering pickup and delivery services of coffees, sandwiches and pastries as well as rental of the space for private events, printing services, and more.

With added funding, his plan to survive and thrive includes:

  • Rebuilding savings reserve to cover payroll, rent, and other expenses during lows and emergencies
  • Offering hot food options by purchasing the proper equipment and permits
  • Offering Boba Tea and Acai bowls
  • Producing a direct mail campaign
  • Purchasing paid advertisements on social media and the news
  • Obtaining an entertainment permit

So far, the fundraiser has raised about $6,700 of the $25,000 goal.

You can donate to help at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-hamlett-thrive shop at the Hamlett at the corner of Broadway and Lemon Grove Avenue, visit their website at https://www.thehamlett.com/ and attend their events and workshops, which you can learn about by following @thehamlettcoffeeshop.



 


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