The Hillmont x tendlyn

Local businesses are the foundation of a community—they foster connections, deliver quality local goods, and help create lasting memories. Like many family-owned restaurants or your trusty coffee shop around the corner, they add to the warmth and charm that makes a place unforgettable. Downtown Auburn’s The Hillmont is one good example.

The Hillmont has the perfect fusion of past and present flair: a newly opened, modern dining destination housed in one of the most historic landmarks in Downtown Auburn. With a beautiful selection of food and drinks that celebrate Auburn’s culinary heritage, The Hillmont further elevates the experience through new flavors, generous hospitality, and sustainable packaging.

As an establishment that houses a bar-restaurant, coffee shop, and a retail corner, consistent and memorable branding is imperative, and partnering with tendlyn has done the job. Through their food and beverage eco-packaging picks, leveling up with each serving is as effortless as it is special. Read on to learn more about The Hillmont!

Tell us a bit about your brand!

is a full bar and kitchen in Downtown Auburn, CA, created by husband-and-wife team Jordan and Melinda. We’ve poured ourselves into restoring this historic building and transforming it into a place where locals and travelers can come together over craft cocktails and small plates meant to be shared.

Community is at the heart of everything we do — we want The Hillmont to feel like your go-to spot for a night out, a celebration, or just a cozy evening with neighbors. It’s not just about food and drinks; it’s about building something lasting in the town we’re raising our kids in.

Jordan and Melinda Minyard, the founders of The Hillmont

Tell us about your packaging, how you’re using it, and the importance of it for your brand.

Every touchpoint at The Hillmont is intentional, and packaging is no exception. Our branded food paper and cups are more than just functional — they’re part of the storytelling.

tendlynCustom Cold Cups, designed by@thehillmont

When a plate hits the table lined with custom paper, or someone snaps a photo of their cocktail in aHillmont cup, it reinforces that what we’re creating is bigger than just a meal.

tendlynCustom Food Paper, designed by@thehillmont

These little details matter, because they extend the experience beyond our walls and make the memory tangible. They remind guests they were part of something special, and for us, that connection is everything.

What made tendlyn a good fit for your packaging?

We knew we wanted packaging that felt elevated but also aligned with our values. tendlyn was a perfect fit because their products are customizable, sustainable, and easy to bring to life. Working with them allowed us to create designs that reflect The Hillmont’s aesthetic — refined but approachable, timeless but fun.

It was important for us to partner with a company that cares about quality and design the way we do, and tendlyn gave us exactly that. Our packaging now feels like a true extension of our brand, seamlessly tying the whole guest experience together.

Where are you finding inspiration for The Hillmont and in life at the moment?

Inspiration comes from the community around us and the history of our space. Our building has lived many lives — it was once a record store where the town bought concert tickets and the hottest music, and later an iconic boot shop. We love honoring those layers of history while adding our own.

Beyond Auburn, we draw from travel, design, and family — from farmer’s markets where we meet the people who grow our food, to artwork created by Melinda’s mom that now adorns our coffee bags, to the joy (and chaos!) of raising five kids while building businesses together.

The Hillmont’s featured products: