November 6, 2018

Ajay Relan ’02, restaurant entrepreneur and co-founder of the popular nationwide giving movement known as #HashtagLunchbag, has opened up Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a new coffee spot in South Los Angeles. Relan and his business partner Yonnie Hagos created the restaurant after noticing a lack of independent coffee and dining shops near the area in which they grew up. Now located on the top of Slauson Avenue and Overhill Drive, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen provides a hub for the local community around healthier eating, personal connection and good coffee. Furthermore, in an effort to give back to the local community, Relan and Hagos make every attempt to hire employees from their community while also paying them a rate above minimum wage.

Relan holds Hilltop close to his heart because it bridges the restaurant world he and Hagos built at The Parlor Hollywood with the social impact mission they created with #HashtagLunchbag. “At the end of the day, it’s all about building community and showing love,” Relan said.

To learn more about his newest restaurant, visit findyourhilltop.com.