Lakeview coffee shop that helps connect community to mental health services on hunt for new home

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago hip-hop musician, who is helping fund mental health services while also combating food insecurity on the South Side with his coffee shop, is on the hunt for a new location after being open for less than a year.

Christopher LeMark opened the doors to Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health in November 2020, with a goal of educating and funding mental health services. Every cup of brew helps people from the South Side get into therapy.

After a little less than a year since opening the shop, LeMark said they are looking for a new home.

"We hit a bump in the road. We have been trying to get a new lease with management, but due to a non-compete clause we had to move," LeMark said.

According to the landlord, the coffee shop only had a temporary arrangement to occupy the space.

LeMark said they've created a text campaign to help with the move and construction of the coffee shop. He hopes to raise $50,000.

Coffee, Hip-Hop and Mental Health plans to stay in the Lakeview area, a place LeMark said has taken them in.

"We built this thing on a collection of stories, right? And so, everybody's story matters; the entire city matters. This is why we have to remain open," said LeMark.

For more information, visit the coffee shop's website chhamh.org.