Clay Summers of Young Hickory

“I grew up in rural Oklahoma where my HS graduating class had 25 kids. I had a super conservative background, and I didn’t grow up in a farm but a farm community. I knew I didn’t want to become a farmer but I gravitated towards art. I was always interested in CD cover design and t-shirt design, so that got me into graphic design. And that’s what I decided that I wanted to do and that’s what I went to school for in college. I got my degree and immediately got a job working for the corporate office for WalMart.After a few years and working a ton of hours, what ended up happening was they sent me over to San Diego for a conference and when I came back, I knew I wanted to move out there. And I did about 3 months later. At the time, I got a job with Petco and they had helped me move out here. I spent another few years there until I got fed up with corporate stuff and decided to start my own studio. I had my own graphic design business for about 5 years and I had a few bigger clients I spent most of my time on and since I made income off of that, that’s how I started to do more fun stuff for myself.I could tell at that point that this kind of work was going to phase out by running its course and since I used to come to this space pretty often before it became Young Hickory and when it used to be Filter, I would work on my laptop. I’d never in my life worked in a café, pulled a shot, or even waited tables… I had no experience in hospitality whatsoever. So coming as a customer at the time I could imagine this space being so much cooler and greater than what it was.I later found out that the owner of Filter was thinking about selling or doing something else so long story short – he helped me get Young Hickory opened up. I wanted this space to be friendly for people who like myself, would come in with their laptops to study, create, and hang out. Though this was 3 years ago now, no one was really doing the coffee and beer combination in San Diego. Adding the beer element was super important to me because I thought it would be a great idea to offer people beer in an environment that wasn’t a bar.Aside from the main concept being coffee and beer, the other main concept was for the space to be welcoming to people. Just because someone didn’t know the origin of the coffee or the hops of the beer didn’t mean that they couldn’t enjoy it. It’s just super important to be nice to people. It’s having the ability to have two of my favorite things in one place, do work, and build a sense of community for people. The biggest focus was to create a space that was comfortable for people and to create these connections, because that’s what’s most important. It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years. It feels like forever and just yesterday all at the same time.”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_masonry_media_grid element_width="6" grid_id="vc_gid:1474503885367-cd400033-ef6b-10" include="2263,2264"]We are so excited to have sat down with Clay, owner and operator of Young Hickory and graphic design extraordinaire, who is now celebrating three years of creating an amazing community around Young Hickory!He shared everything from his background, his journey from corporate to café, and how community is the main focus of what he does. We’ve gone to Young Hickory countless times over the past year or so, so being able to sit down with Clay and hear his story is definitely one for the books! From the iconic sticker wall that allows people add their own personal touch to an inviting space, to amazing coffee and beer options, as well as the tasty food... We find ourselves gravitating here more and more to be around the creative folks and just have a good time!Not to mention, since they've used Bird Rock Coffee, they have now created a private house blend just for Young Hickory! We are so excited to try this new roast, and we all can starting this weekend in lieu of their anniversary celebration![vc_masonry_media_grid grid_id="vc_gid:1474503196324-89a003df-3a07-7" include="2258,2257,2259"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Where to Find Young Hickory

4096 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104HoursOpen Daily from 7am-12am

Follow Young Hickory

Website: younghickorysd.comInstagram: @younghickorysdFacebook: @younghickorysdDon't forget to join us and the Young Hickory Fam this Sunday, September 25th from 11am - 2pm for some in-house tastings of their new coffee, sweet deals on their merch, and an overall good time! Hope to see you there![vc_masonry_media_grid element_width="6" grid_id="vc_gid:1474503942435-d97a0462-1a1c-8" include="2260,2261"][/vc_column][/vc_row]