RICHMOND COUNTY — Residents will soon have more options for coffee, bars, and marketing services as the county continues to grow.
Last week, Rockingham Mayor John Hutchinson announced on Facebook that 7 Brew Coffee is coming to Richmond County. The coffee chain, a drive-thru-only coffeehouse, was founded in Rogers, Arkansas, in 2017 and has since expanded across the United States.
Some residents expressed concern about the company competing with the Starbucks across the street, but Hutchinson explained on social media how similar businesses still thrive despite competition.
“There are four hamburger restaurants within two blocks, and all succeed. There’s a Jersey Mike’s across from a Firehouse. Both succeed,” Hutchinson said on Facebook.
The new coffeehouse will occupy the location previously home to Taco Loko. On Dec. 3, Taco Loko announced on social media that it would temporarily close after the owner sold the space and needed to move before Jan. 1. The restaurant remained open until Dec. 21 and now operates through a food truck and DoorDash orders.
Big Tomato Marketing hosted a ribbon-cutting Saturday at its Hamlet office on Main Street, marking the first marketing agency in Richmond County. Owner Michelle Padilla started the business in 2021 in Concord and is now moving to Hamlet.
Padilla also gave a toast before the ribbon-cutting. “Here’s to big solutions for small businesses,” she said.
BTM has partnered with One Stop Print Shop in Rockingham, which created the window sticker for the storefront, to build websites for clients at a reduced rate, Padilla said. She also recognized Laurinburg-based Heavenly Inflations for making the tomato-shaped balloons for the event.
Padilla shared that she and her husband, Greg, bought a home in Hamlet in 2024 after falling in love with the Seaboard City. The couple is working together to reopen the Hamlet Business Development Association. Greg Padilla, who owns a nonprofit called the Military Veterans Foundation, is building a loft area inside Big Tomato Marketing’s building for the nonprofit.
BTM specializes in marketing strategy, website design and development, brand identities, content creation, social media management, email marketing, graphic design, consulting services, and search engine optimization.
“The best thing we could ever do in a marketing agency is be a strong storyteller,” she added.
John Martin and T.J. Barfield, who are planning to open Landmark Tavern, also located on Main Street, are expected to open in mid-March.
Hamlet City Manager John Terziu highlighted the city’s economic development on social media.
“Condemned buildings are turning into construction sites. Construction sites are turning into opportunity. Opportunity is turning into growth. These things do not happen overnight, but rest assured, we are growing,” Terziu said.
“This doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when private investors see stability, leadership, and a city that is serious about forward progress,” he added.
“As city manager, I am beyond excited to work alongside entrepreneurs and property owners who believe in Hamlet and are investing early. This is what revitalization looks like: permits being pulled, storefronts lighting up, and confidence returning to our downtown,” Terziu said.
Domino’s is also coming to the Seaboard City. Last year, Dine 82 and Riverside Bakery opened on Main Street in Hamlet.