Clarkston Print Shop Fostering Community and Economic Growth
In the heart of Clarkston, Edwin Jarvis has established itself as more than just a print shop: It’s becoming a cornerstone of community development and economic empowerment.
Earlier this year, Han Pham took ownership of the Edwin Jarvis in Clarkston from her longtime friend Allen Kim, carrying forward a legacy while adding her own vision for the business and the Clarkston community. Pham is also Executive Director at Her Term, a Georgia-based initiative created to recruit women to run for public office at the local, state and national levels, and a 2024-2025 Obama Leader.
“Part of what I’m doing is carrying on a legacy of what he’s built and what he’s done, and then putting my own spin on it as we broaden our experience and our presence in Clarkston,” explains Pham.
The relationship between Pham and Kim began a decade ago when she visited Edwin Jarvis to print flyers for a community event. That initial interaction sparked a friendship that would eventually lead to Pham taking over the business when Kim moved out of the country.
More Than Just Printing
While Edwin Jarvis offers traditional printing services, its impact on the community runs much deeper. For many residents of Clarkston, particularly newcomers and refugees, the shop provides essential services they might not otherwise have access to.
“So many people don’t have computers, don’t have printers anymore,” Pham notes. “If you think about these newcomers who come to Clarkston and don’t have a computer and don’t have access to these things, oftentimes what we’re doing is we’re there and someone has come with this handwritten document and needs to email it to someone.”
The shop has helped residents with government documents, updating and modernizing materials for long-standing businesses that have been operating in the area for many years and providing critical communication services. While she speaks Vietnamese, a bilingual staff member from El Salvador speaks Spanish, further expanding the print shop’s reach within the diverse Clarkston community.
Beyond printing services, Edwin Jarvis also functions as a coworking space, offering community members access to workspace, internet, and business resources. This aspect of the business serves as a vital hub for local entrepreneurs and remote workers.
First opened in 2014 by Allen Kim just before the holiday shipping season, Edwin Jarvis was named after Marvel movie character Iron Man’s butler Jarvis, reflecting the business’s mission to serve as an “everyday person’s butler.” This service-oriented philosophy explains why many legacy customers still call simply asking for help with general tasks, and why the business was originally called Edwin Jarvis Concierge.
While Pham exclusively owns and operates the Clarkston location under a licensing agreement for the brand, a second Trilith location, which still offers dry cleaning services, remains under Kim’s ownership.
Pham’s Personal Connection
For Pham, her work in Clarkston holds special significance. As the child of Vietnamese refugees who came to the United States following the Vietnam War, she personally understands many of the challenges faced by the refugee community.
“I’m finding myself having the desire to give back and provide even better opportunities to those who kind of come after so that they can succeed some more,” she shares. “We have been the beneficiary of the kindness of strangers, and we are here to pay that back to the Clarkston community.”
This personal connection drives Pham’s vision for Edwin Jarvis and its role in empowering the local community, particularly entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds.
The Clarkston Market
One of the most exciting developments for Edwin Jarvis is its involvement in activating the green space at the Clarkston Market. On May 17, Edwin Jarvis will host an evening market featuring food, music, and local makers.
“We will bring people to Clarkston and have Clarkston stop being the secret no one really knows about. And we will really celebrate all facets of the community, especially the refugee community,” Pham explains.
The market represents a significant opportunity not just for community gathering but for economic development as well. Pham envisions Edwin Jarvis helping local entrepreneurs elevate their businesses through improved branding and marketing materials.
“One of the things that we really want to do is help the entrepreneurs that are out here get a ‘glow-up’,” she says, referring to the comprehensive transformation of their business presence, from updated branding and digital footprint to modernized operations and customer experience. “Being able to invest money in nice signage, or even having the creativity to put these things together” can be challenging for small business owners focused on their core products or services.
A Collaborative Ecosystem
Edwin Jarvis doesn’t work alone. The business is part of a supportive ecosystem that includes Send Relief, a compassion ministry operating in Clarkston, and other local organizations like Ethnē Health, a nonprofit health clinic started by an immigrant from Malaysia — all located on the same campus as Edwin Jarvis at 980 Rowland Street.
“We all make sure that we are on the same page about what we’re trying to do, and that is to be able to support this community here in Clarkston, and specifically with the refugees,” Pham explains about these collaborations.
These partnerships are particularly crucial now, as many refugee support organizations face funding challenges. Pham has innovative ideas for addressing this, including creating a “giving corridor” at future markets where attendees can learn about and contribute to local organizations.
“I think people need to practice giving. It’s a practice that not many people are in the habit of doing,” she notes. By making giving more accessible and interactive, Pham hopes to increase support for vital community services.
Looking to the Future
Pham’s long-term vision for Edwin Jarvis extends beyond printing services. She hopes to offer hands-on classes teaching creation skills and provide access to tools that enable entrepreneurship.
“What I love to do is not just provide classes, because there’s a lot of training that’s out there, but actually provide opportunities to gather and do little makers projects in this space,” she explains. These skills, from using design tools to creating marketing materials, can benefit participants whether they’re pursuing entrepreneurship or seeking employment.
Eventually, Pham envisions Edwin Jarvis becoming “your local Etsy,” a place where community members can access creative services and products. Future plans even include a “Goat Festival,” paying homage to Clarkston’s original name, Goatsville.
Through Edwin Jarvis, Han Pham is creating more than a business. She’s building a platform for community engagement, economic empowerment, and cultural celebration. By combining practical services with creative opportunities and community events, Edwin Jarvis exemplifies how local businesses can drive broader community development while honoring the unique character and diversity of places like Clarkston.
As Decide DeKalb continues to support economic growth throughout the county, businesses like Edwin Jarvis demonstrate the powerful impact that mission-driven entrepreneurship can have on building vibrant, inclusive communities. Learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved at Decide DeKalb Development Authority.