Bitty and Beau's Coffee is a chain of cafes run by people with IDD, showcasing their abilities and talents. With 24 locations across the US, it offers franchising opportunities and merchandise to spread its message of acceptance.
If you are looking for a place to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and support a worthy cause at the same time, you might want to check out Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. This chain of cafes is not your ordinary coffee shop – it is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who serve customers with enthusiasm, joy and pride.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee was founded by Amy and Ben Wright, who named it after their two youngest children, both of whom have Down syndrome. The Wrights wanted to create a business that would provide meaningful employment opportunities for people like Bitty and Beau, who often face discrimination and exclusion in the workforce.
The first Bitty and Beau’s Coffee opened in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2016. Since then, it has expanded to 24 locations across the United States , including Bethlehem, Charleston, Boston and Washington DC. The cafes have received national recognition and awards for their social impact, such as being named CNN Heroes in 2017.
The mission of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is to change the way people see those with IDD, by showcasing their abilities and talents. The staff members, who are called “employees of the month”, greet customers with smiles, take orders with confidence, prepare drinks with skill and deliver them with gratitude. They also engage customers in friendly conversations, share their stories and dreams, and make them feel welcome.
Customers love the vibe at Bitty and Beau’s Coffee – they say it is more than just a place to grab a coffee – it is an experience. They appreciate the quality of the products, the service of the staff members, and the atmosphere of inclusion and positivity. They also enjoy learning more about IDD from the employees themselves or from educational materials available at each location.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is not only changing lives for its employees – it is also inspiring others to join its movement. The company offers franchising opportunities for those who want to open their own Bitty and Beau’s Coffee shops. It also sells merchandise online, such as mugs, shirts and hats, that help spread its message of acceptance.
If you are interested in visiting Bitty and Beau’s Coffee or learning more about its story, you can visit its website at
https://www.bittyandbeauscoffee.com/.
There you can find information about its locations, menu items, history, and media coverage.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee is more than just a cup of coffee – it is a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop. It is a place where everyone belongs, everyone matters, everyone has something to offer. It is a place where you can sip your coffee while making a difference.