Today we’d like to introduce you to Clayton Summers.
Clayton, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from a rural farming town in Oklahoma. My high school graduating class had 25 students (5 of which were exchange students). I knew I didn’t want to become a farmer at a pretty early age. I was always interested in CDs and t-shirts, so that let me into a graphic design in college. After getting my degree, I spent few years working in corporate graphic design and eventually decided to start my own studio. I had my own design business for a few years but I started to see the industry changing and had grown tired of sitting at a computer all day, so I started considering other career avenues.
Once or twice a week, I would work remotely in the space that’s now Young Hickory in North Park (formerly Filter Coffee House). I had no experience in the service industry at that point (never pulled an espresso shot, never waited tables). So, coming in as a customer at the time I would imagine the place being something else that fit the neighborhood culture, and more than anything, would be a spot that I would enjoy working from or hanging with friends in. As luck would have it, I found out that the owner was considering doing something else. We had a few talks and he eventually helped me open Young Hickory.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In general, things have gone relatively smooth. The neighborhood was ready and willing to support a place that offered the type of environment and products that we offer. Most of the struggles were related to the stark career change I made. Learning a whole new industry, managing employees, dealing with all the small business minutiae, and so on, were all a pretty steep learning curve. For the most part, we were welcomed with open arms to the community.
Please tell us about Young Hickory.
The primary concept of the business is creating a somewhat non-traditional combination of coffee and beer. We are also very focused on being welcoming and nice to people in general. Not being an expert on the origin of each coffee or the exact hop profile of a craft beer doesn’t mean that people can’t casually enjoy it. We want to maintain a space that is comfortable for people to create connections; in the end that’s what’s most important.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up in the rural part of the country allowed plenty of time and space to play outside, ride bikes, dig in the dirt and just generally be a kid. Some of my favorite memories are from the winter time, being out of school and sledding around town in the snow with my friends, and in the summer time spending all day at the local swimming pool.
Contact Info:
- Address: Young Hickory
4096 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104 - Website: www.younghickory.com
- Phone: 619-795-6574
- Email: hello@younghickory.com
- Instagram: @younghickorysd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/younghickorysd/
- Twitter: @younghickorysd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/young-hickory-san-diego
Image Credit:
Jo-Allan Yuchongtian
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