Haqq’s Drawer landmarks 3 years; launches “Think Broad”
Haqq’s Drawer has recently expanded next door, with Think Broad.
by TRS Staff
Brother Abdul Haqq (which translates to Servant of “The Truth”) is an entrepreneur and he says he knew this from a very young age. “I love business… I remember going in my father's vehicle, taking all of his cleaning supplies out, only to put them in a wagon or push them on the back of my bike to knock on people's doors and ask them if I could shovel their driveways or wash their cars.”
He’s a returning citizen, having spent 21 years in the Department of Corrections. He’s a Peer Recovery Specialist, a community organizer, and a member of the Jackson Ward Collective, among other Richmond groups. But more importantly, Abdul Haaq is a servant of God. “Haaq (pronounced Hock) is actually an attribute of The One whom we worship. And He is The Truth. The ‘Abdul’ makes me a servant of the Truth.”
That sense of servitude is reflected in Haqq’s Drawer, his “Islamically inspired store,” which recently celebrated three years in Jackson Ward. The items he sells are personal, having been researched from the remedies his beloved father used during his battle with cancer. “I ain’t know anything about Black Seed. I ain’t know nothing about Sea Moss, Castor Oil, or Cod Liver Oil. My father didn’t rely on pharmaceuticals. No chemo.“
“There is a Wisdom that created this. Where there is an illness, He has placed a cure.
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Haqq sells fragrance oils, medicinal water, and holistic items for wellness. He says, “There is a Wisdom that created this. Where there is an illness, He has placed a cure.”
His faith guides how he moves forward beyond three years at 911 E. Broad Street. He explained to The Seen how his practice shies away from celebratory moments in exchange for acknowledgment of the next step in the journey. “The acknowledgement is to now do the overhaul of what having a brick- and-mortar really should be. I'm very happy that we've been here for three years. And I can tell you, I don't know how we got here other than the community.”
Haqq’s Drawer, although inspired by the practice of Islam, is “not limited to persons who may or may not practice the faith of Islam. It is a community hub. It’s a safe space, governed by American Muslims, here to give people the opportunity to learn and experience things which they have never experienced before in a practical way. We're practicing what it is that we preach.”
Think Broad directly next door to Haqq’s Drawer and features imported fragrances from around the world. (TRS)
“Think Broad” the umbrella over Haqq’s Drawer was an idea that came after the opening of the store realizing he says the work wasn’t going to end well after the store opened. “There are so many things that I want to do,” he explained. He began building relationships with the decade long businesses, like the former Harvery’s Barbershop.
Acknowledging the community work ahead of them leads us to believe Haqq’s Drawer will continue the journey toward entrepreneurial longevity. Abdul mentioned during conversation,
“I asked [my team] that we be grateful that we’re here for three years, but now, if we really want to get on it, let’s push. My back office makes it look like we’re almost there. But maybe in five years we’ll do a ribbon cutting.”
And we’re looking forward to it.
Haqq’s Drawer
911 E. Broad Street
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