Horizon West Welcomes Its First Dutch Bros Coffee

Dutch Bros Coffee Opens in Hamlin With Drinks, Energy and Community Focus

A friendly "Broista" serves guest through the walk-up window at the Hamlin location's grand opening.

Opening Day Vibes

In the heart of Hamlin, charming “broistas” weave through the prep area of a pristine grab-and-go coffee house. It’s opening day, and they couldn’t be prouder. Espresso machines hum a song of coffee bar classics. Refreshers pour in bright, vibrant layers, framed by the windmill logos printed on Dutch Bros cups. Catchy favorites float through speakers. Each employee enters a coordinated dance of service as lines wrap around the drive-thru and walk-up windows. Every movement is a heartbeat to the establishment. Well-trained and eager to serve up smiles, Hamlin’s Dutch Bros family seizes the rush with friendly ease. Their secret? Treating every guest like family.

Brewing Up West Coast Hospitality

With humble pushcart origins, the Oregon-born company has swept the country to become a coffee empire. Hamlin’s location broke ground in October as a well-awaited addition to our community. For those in charge, the Dutch Bros impact carries roots from far earlier.

Thirteen years in, Hamlin shop operator Meghan Sviontek is thriving in the Dutch Bros family. She calls it “100% the right path,” previously serving at locations in California and Texas before moving to Florida last year.

“I always joke that I'm the Disney Dutch Bros operator, following my dream by the parks I love,” Meghan said.

Being at this grand opening is a surreal moment for Meghan.

“I know I won’t fully feel it until I’m home later and the adrenaline wears off to a gush of ‘yes! It's here! We're here!’” she said.

With eight years at Dutch Bros, Hamlin manager Karlin is living the dream. When he was young, his mom drove him to their local Dutch Bros before or after school or after church.

“The way that they treated us was so cool to experience as a child,” he said.

Mesmerized by the customer service at this comfort spot, it quickly rose to the top of his job application list.

“I was like, man, I want to work there so bad. It was the cool job, playing fun music and it seemed like a party inside. When I finally got the call back, I was so emotional about it,” Karlin said.

Hamlin’s quick-order coffee spot brought up similar feelings.

“We’re finally open to serve. It’s amazing,” he said.

Watching the crew adapt was a special highlight for both.

“There's so much ownership and empowerment. When we got here, it became an extension of what we created, because now it's our home. This is Hamlin's family,” Meghan said.

Dutch Bros manager Karlin (left) and operator Meghan (right) graciously welcomed guests to the new location.

Team Players: A Job vs. The Job

Getting a job at Dutch Bros is its own gauntlet. Hiring began as soon as construction workers broke ground. Giving an inside look at the employee selection process, Meghan cited a recent Restaurant Business Online article reporting it’s tougher to get a job at Dutch Bros than it is to get into Harvard.

“Are we competitive?” she said. “More specific. The ideal team player is hungry, humble and smart. We ask every candidate, ‘What does making a massive difference mean to you?’ In the details, we find out, ‘Do they want a job, or do they want the job?’”

Finding the heart behind why a candidate wants to join is an essential step.

Karlin told us baristas cross-trained at neighboring locations anywhere from two to six months.

“Our goal right off the bat is to set the culture. Right as they sit for interviews, they feel comfortable,” he said.



Being immersed at another location ensured working at Hamlin wasn't a major leap, only a quick skill transfer.

Meet your Horizon West Dutch Bros "Broista" Team.

Giving Back with a Local Focus

To integrate with the community, Dutch Bros hosts three nationwide givebacks annually.

“As the operator, I oversee an additional three or four donations to local charities. This will be our second year partnering with Give Kids The World, which feels really rooted,” Meghan said, referencing other givebacks for No Kid Hungry and Second Harvest Food Bank.

With this new location, Meghan aspires to increase donations.

“I see us continuing our impact farther and stronger in this community,” she said.

Apart from outreach, the company hosts handcrafted employee awards called “culture cultivators.”

While opening day is now a realized dream, Karlin and Meghan set their horizons on growth. Speaking of the company's future, both radiated love and optimism for Horizon West.

“We hope to inspire the next generation to be a part of what we do here,” they said, expressing that each crew member can be a role model.

Photos courtesy of Dutch Bros

The Dutch Bros Draw

Seasonal drinks are released monthly, with promotions throughout the year. For a detailed drink selection, visit dutchbros.com/menu or download the app.

Radiating kindness with every cup, Hamlin’s location welcomes guests into the Dutch Bros rush with fresh drinks, friendly faces and a culture rooted in connection. Even the smallest details add to the excitement. Dutch Bros keychains have become highly sought-after, limited-edition promotional items handed out during surprise, one-day-only “drops” that keep fans watching for what’s next.

Where the windmills blow and the line keeps moving, Hamlin’s Dutch Bros family is ready to serve up energy, smiles and a little local magic one cup at a time.

Photos courtesy of Dutch Bros