It was May of 2015, and I’d been hearing so much excitement around this somewhat new restaurant in Downtown Raleigh that let folks start the day with an espresso drink from their walk-up coffee window facing out to E Martin St and end the day inside their dreamy establishment with the most scrumptious desserts, like the infamous s’mores sundae as well as Thursdays’ bubbles and cake specials. When I met a friend there to try it out, we stumbled upon Bittersweet’s 1-year anniversary celebration, where I first met Kim Hammer along with her incredible team members, including the amazing Joshua Lamm. Whether stopping in for the daily quiche option or toasting a friend with one of Bittersweet’s delicious cocktails, it’s always an enjoyable experience and why I keep coming back over and over again, but I’m not alone in my love of Bittersweet Dessert and Cocktail Lounge. For example, last year, Indy Week named Bittersweet the Readers’ Choice Best Cocktails in Wake County, and, most recently, James Beard Foundation recognized Bittersweet along with its team as semifinalists for the 2024 Outstanding Bar. I can’t wait to hopefully hear their name announced as a winner at the awards ceremony in June. Such success stems from the inspirational leadership and genuine care of the true badass, Kim Hammer, which is equally evident in Bittersweet’s sister establishment, Johnson Street Yacht Club. Either option might be the perfect place to spend your upcoming Valentine’s Day later this month. As is clearly evident, Kim is passionate about this community, about serving guests to her restaurants, about taking care of her staff and about making a better world for her two teenage and young-adult kids. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

About Kim Hammer

Kim Hammer is a pastry chef and owner of Bittersweet—a cocktail, coffee and dessert bar in downtown Raleigh—as well as its sister location, Johnson Street Yacht Club, which is a bar that features rooftop seating and a fabulously fun slide that’s only 1.5 miles away from Bittersweet. Open for nearly 10 years, Bittersweet focuses on seasonal, high-quality ingredients from local growers. The cocktail and pastry menu changes four times a year with a strong focus on gin-based cocktails. Kim is most proud of Bittersweet’s amazing employees and a level of success that affords employing four full-time pastry chefs. Johnson Street Yacht Club is a downtown dive bar with super chill drinks and all the joy that comes from the aforementioned slide. Prior to opening Bittersweet, Kim had her pastry catering company bittycakes for over 10 years. She spent several seasons selling baked goods at the Carrboro Farmers Market and providing daily pastries for Café Helios in downtown Raleigh. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Kim spent time in New York working for designer Betsey Johnson and later as a fashion editor and writer with several magazine publications including Seventeen Magazine and Playboy. She is a Raleigh native, graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and regularly humbled by her two teenage and young-adult children.

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Kim Hammer

How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?

Bittersweet is a cocktail, coffee and dessert bar. A place where you can bookend your night out with a cocktail before dinner and dessert and coffee or another drink after dinner.

Why did you start your company?

I have background as a bartender and a pastry chef—dessert and cocktails being my favorite parts of any meal—so, basically, I created a place with all my favorite things. Additionally, I have always enjoyed gin, and, when I first opened Bittersweet (10 years ago!), all the cocktail bars were focusing on whiskey. I took a risk and started educating people about gin, hoping they would love it as much as me. We probably have the largest gin selection in NC—with over 80 different gins—and the staff has worked very hard to educate our guests about this spirit. It has definitely paid off, and I’m pretty sure we create new gin lovers every week.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

Creating a professional and financially-stable work environment for employees. Every day, I strive to nurture those who love the service industry. It is so rewarding to create long-term careers for individuals who love to work in bars and restaurants. And, importantly, making it profitable enough that they are able to purchase a home in the area, stay out of debt and generally not have large financial stresses.

About what are you most proud?

Creating a true equal opportunity work place for any type of individual looking to work hard and succeed in this industry. It isn’t even about working at Bittersweet or JSYC; I am proud of the network of friends and like-minded colleagues that I have to reach out to. This allows me to mentor individuals to find the career and environment within bars and restaurants that suits them best.

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

I imagine I am fairly naturally organized. My first management job happened when I was 19 so, perhaps, there is an element of organization and big-picture-thinking that has always been there. My father claims I’ve always had entrepreneur spirit—something he noticed in me as a toddler.

I find it difficult to analyze myself in comparison to others. I don’t think much good comes from comparing your insides to other people’s outsides. However, there have definitely been incidents in my life that have taught me how short life can be or how quickly circumstances can change so I have to assume that gives me some of my drive and focus on being hyper productive. If I want to be productive, I must be organized.

Who’s the one person who changed your life and why?

There are several, almost all small business owners and creative bosses. There are professionals in my life that I’ve looked up to and I basically asked them to mentor me. I asked for their time. I asked questions and I listened and, then, I just hung around and watched how they did things, how they interacted with people. Most professionals are happy to answer questions (even if you don’t know them well!), and are interested in encouraging ambitious, curious individuals. I can say this honestly because I am one of them now. I always find time to mentor hardworking, excited people—to answer their questions.

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

If you are finding a hard time feeling driven in your career, I think it’s important to examine if you really want to be doing what you’re doing. Or is it ok to find inspiration and drive other places—with hobbies, organizations, etc?

I find that I need to be challenged on almost a daily basis. If I know how to solve most issues, I get bored. The restaurant industry constantly challenges me, always keeps me on my toes, always offers more to discover. When I am inspired, I am driven to be productive.

That being said, I always tell young people and my kids (they are 16 and 21) to be very aware of who you surround yourself with. Friends and loved ones can have a HUGE impact on your productivity. Are the people around you hard-working? Always looking to improve themselves and their situations? Do they have goals? Or are they stagnant? Are they always blaming outside people and situations for their stations in life? Try to be aware of how the people (and the screens!) around you are effecting the way you think about your own situation and goals.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

I try to stay off screens as much as I can, but it’s hard. I keep my phone on greyscale so that my brain finds it less attractive. I am hyper aware that many apps are created just to sell my info or sell me things so I probably just use the Notes app and lists I make in the Reminders app on my iPhone the most. I have weekly managers’ meetings with my operations manager and the JSYC managers. Then, I have monthly lunches with my front-of-house managers and kitchen manager so they can get a well-rounded feel for the whole system working together. I find people-to-people check-ins are the most crucial element for staying organized and to discover problems early.

How do you feel about work / life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

Ha! Idk if I’m the best person to ask for that since I work with my husband (he’s the operational manager) and both kids have also worked at Bittersweet at one time or another. Additionally, when you run your own businesses, there is no clocking in or out—things come up all the time.

That being said, I dedicate a Sunday or a Monday each week to completely unplug and read and go to movies and spend time with family. I also take at least 30 minutes to exercise and put my phone on “do not disturb” 5-6 times a week. I find this helps me sleep better and focus the rest of the time.

About what causes are you most passionate?

I tend to pick causes that are fighting to help people live the lives they want to live HOW they choose to. I don’t believe in anyone telling another person how to live their life or making choices for that individual about their lifestyle or body. If Bittersweet or JSYC is going to fundraise for a specific cause, I make sure it is something everyone on staff is excited about. This has mostly manifested in raising money for Raleigh Pride and Planned Parenthood.

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

I like to hang out with friends and hear about their lives, families and businesses. I also love going to the movies. I’ve always said the perfect Sunday for me would be to have the time to read the entire Sunday NY Times and, then, later, have a dinner party with friends who have also read the Times (or something else topical) so that I can hear all their thoughts. I also like to arrange dinner after seeing a movie with a friend or when we’ve watched the same smart show. I really enjoy hearing other people’s thoughts about topics—current events, art, recent trips, whatever.

What is your favorite author / book?

Alice Munro for short stories, Douglas Coupland novels to get me thinking and David Sedaris to make me laugh.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

No idea where I first heard this, but: “If the people around you don’t inspire you, it’s not a circle, it’s a cage”.

What is your go-to accessory?

I wish it wasn’t my phone, but here we are.

After that, I love a great bag. I have a bag problem.

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

Depends on my mood. Lol, at this age, it’s usually whatever I need to do to make myself look less tired… I’m not even usually tired because I take sleep seriously, but I do find myself looking in the mirror and thinking, “why do I look so tired?” So, if I can’t properly cover the dark circles, it’s time to go for a smoky eye and move on, ha!

What is your favorite food?

Popcorn, good fresh popped popcorn—I can’t say no to it, even if I’m full.

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites and why?

SmokeStacks Cafe—it’s tiny, delicious, always exciting, a hidden gem

Yatai Market—new favorite, in Transfer Food Hall, sushi, ramen, tacos and cute cocktails in the cutest dark corner. I’m obsessed!

Centro—my old skool fave. I love Angela’s food; it comforts me—especially her chilaquiles and ignacios—just makes me feel cozy and loved.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

Malta. Gorgeous islands, lovely people and the best wine I’ve had in my life and it only exists there, no exporting.

What movie could you watch on endless loop?

Jaws. And it drives my husband crazy.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

To stop time. There was this sci-fi show when I was little called “Amazing Stories” where this woman had the power to stop and start time and spend quiet time alone, stop arguments and walk away, ponder things slowly, etc. I’ve always thought that would be great to have that kind of instant quiet and stillness when you need it. Warning though—that episode doesn’t end well!

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Stop worrying about what people think about you. Ask more questions. Listen to more stories.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

Martha Stewart. At her house. I honestly would just like to follow her around all day, watch her activities, watch her make decisions and, then, get to ask about her thought process. She just always seems to be thinking of better ways to do things—always curious and thoughtful. I admire that. Then, I’d like to have a few drinks with her, she seems like a fun person to get a little drunk with.

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