The dispensary chain Sixty Four & Hope aims to empower each of its dispensary owners, all of whom have a Social Equity background, to create community and to succeed in the industry.
The first Sixty Four & Hope location opened in Mid-City last year. This past Sunday, September 18th, owner Aja Allen held a one-year anniversary event to celebrate making it this far while surrounded by friends and family—including animals.
“I highlighted all the brands that have been supportive to me,” Allen said, about the participants in the event. “I highlighted what I love which is animals and community and food and music. I just wanted all that to be a reflection of today,” Allen said.
Vendors who have supported Allen and who were present at the event included Gelato, Ball Family Farms, Dabwoods, Queen Mary, Dose of Saucey, and Green Habitat.
The event featured a petting zoo with horses, ponies, rabbits, ducks, and dogs. Allen and others rode a horse around the block, to the delight of neighbors.
“That was really exciting for some of the neighbors because they’ve never seen something like this before,” Allen said.
She said it was a chance to connect with the local community in the hopes that they will support her store.
“Some of the people that haven’t been here before may stop by now,” Allen said.
In attendance was Sixty Four & Hope Melrose owner Rhavin Klein. Melrose is the sister store of Mid-City.
Klein and Allen run separate shops but support each other like family, they say.
“We’re in no competition. We both want to see eachother win. We’re gonna stick together through this journey. It’s good to be able to share it with somebody,” Allen said.
“If I don’t have it here I’m sending them to Melrose and vice-versa,” Allen said.
Klein says that Allen helped her by being the first Sixty Four & Hope shop to open, several months prior to hers.
“She has paved the way for her entire time, she has paved the way for even me coming after her,” Klein said.
Their relationship is one of support.
“We are separate but we’re in it together. There’s no competition. Pure support always and forever,” Klein said.
Klein was impressed by the turnout of the event, noting that it was important to support an historic effort such as Allen’s Mid-City shop.
“It was really nice to see everyone come together in support of a woman-owned, Black owned, LGBTQ-owned business. And human being. She’s amazing,” Klein said.
Klein understands the importance of a dispensary getting the support of the surrounding community.
“To do somethign like this is not easy. Any support that we witness and we feel is amazing,” Klein said.
Aja Allen’s Sixty-Four and Hope Mid-City is located at 2000 La Cienega Blvd. Rhavin Klein’s Sixty-Four and Hope Melrose is located at 6803 Melrose Ave.
