Bringing home the Tex Mex vibe
What ’ s life without a splash of colour ? Our Interesting Person Editor Corinne Sweet talks to Sabina Palermo of Hi Cacti
Hi , come on in ”. I ’ m greeted warmly by a wide smile and friendly demeanour of Sabina Palermo . One of the most attractive things about visiting the vibrant , dinky shop Hi Cacti is the owner herself . Sabina ’ s shop is a reflection of her character : colourful , vivacious , quirky , unique . The tiny space inside belies its cornucopia of fascinating stuff to peruse and buy .
There ’ s often a small queue of people waiting to chat to her : about their plants , their colour schemes , their love lives , their problems … about life . It ’ s like a problemsolving surgery with plant-care therapy on top . Her dog , Otto , is also a pull when he ’ s there .
She has English / American / Italian roots and her bejewelled shop , spilling plants outside to draw us in , has a Tex-Mex / Desert vibe . I was drawn , moth-to-a-flame , to the fairy lights , fab cactus and leopard earrings , the Frida Kahlo-inspired objects , the pots and plant paraphernalia , greetings cards and multicoloured throws . Once in I don ’ t want to leave as it ’ s a cave of useful gifts and plant care – all with a fabulously glam artistic twist . The shop reflects Sabina ’ s passion for art ( she loves crafting ), as she wanted to create a place for people to meet and enjoy something colourful , creative , even life-enhancing .
Trained in Latin American Art at University of Texas , Sabina was actually born in the UK ( Suffolk ), but ended up in Austin , Texas , when her father moved the whole family there for work . She decided at 16 she would travel to London as she felt a strong connection to the UK . She did three jobs while studying at Uni , so driven was she to fulfil her dream .
Sixteen years ago she landed in Brighton – drawn by the sea and some friends . She lived on Shoreham Beach , making steampunk jewellery while working as an osteopath ’ s receptionist . All the time she was brewing her idea for a funky colourful shop reflecting her passion for art and US native-inspired southwestern culture .
Hi Cacti began as an open studio pop up in the back of the café previously known as Maple in the back of the groovy Puck coffee shop . In 2015 , with the help of Amanda , Maple ’ s owner , Sabina started making colourful concrete cactus pots which became her signature .
Sabina met husband Dan Ladd 14 years ago , who opened the community barbershop Tallboys five years ago . She took the leap to set up her own shop six years ago . Sabina also set up a second location within the collaborative shop called Flock in the North Laine , focusing on US south-western vintage and textiles .
Always pivoting , Sabina is now moving with the times and is going to evolve Hi Cacti to adjust her retail space to also become m u l t i - purpose , by offering hot drinks and events day and some evenings . She wants to welcome the community in not just for the store , but also for food pop ups , workshops , events , like her famous ‘ cocktail pop ups ’.
Sabina ’ s all about helping people and furthering their well-being – she ’ s compassionate , kind and passionate about local community . Thus , her new evolving venture may well include creative workshops , poetry , sisterhood circles , jewellery-making , mocktails , craft workshops , even Tarot .
Every Christmas Sabina is the creative force behind A Very Merry Seven Dials , is a seasonal local event involving independent businesses , shops and cafes . Over the last few years they have helped organise the event to include a festive treasure hunt around the Dials , Christmas Carol sing-a-longs at T at the Dials , a kitsch Santa ’ s grotto at Puck , a festive dog
outfit contest for charity at Kindly , and more .
And finally , Sabina ’ s the author of her book Hi Cacti : Growing Houseplants & Happiness ( Leaping Hare Press , £ 14.99 ) which is my favourite birthday gift for family and friends . It ’ s a very colourful , personal , but practical book with invaluable plant-care tips . It ’ s also about the importance of plants for our mental health and well-being – something I ’ ve advocated with my own clients as a psychotherapist for years . We all now know how important it is to be in a green space with a green thought and Sabina ’ s book is certainly a lovely and inspiring thing to dip into when your philodendron is drooping . l https :// hicacti . com / 83 Dyke Rd , BN1 3JE . 07578 840345
Photographer is Kenny McKracken