Cafe Run By Staff With Down Syndrome And Other Special Needs Has Opened Its Third Location

Apr 05, 2019 by apost team

Amy Wright is a woman on a mission. The owner of an ever-growing chain of coffee shops, Wright has more in mind than making money in her business venture. Wright’s shops, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, are staffed almost exclusively by people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, notably Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism.

Wright and her husband founded the Wilmington, North Carolina-based coffee shops in 2016. Named after their children, who also have Down syndrome, Wright and her husband opened their first coffee shop knowing that about 80% of adults with disabilities do not have jobs. As such, working at Bitty & Beau’s is often the first job for many of the employees.

In speaking with reporters on what prompted her idea, Wright says that she felt that a coffee shop would be the perfect environment for people with intellectual disabilities.

Elaborating, Wright says that since so many people visit coffee shops, the business would allow the public to see firsthand what amazing employees people with disabilities can be.

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The first Bitty & Beau’s opened in Wilmington in early 2016. Operating out of a 500 square foot shop, the café soon attracted legions of patrons.

Six months later, Wright had to move to a 5000 square foot facility to meet the public’s demand.

Wright applauded the great strides the staff has made since opening, telling of how Bitty & Beau’s wait times are the same as other coffee shops in the area.

Wright opened her second Bitty & Beau’s in Charleston, South Carolina last year and just recently opened their third branch in Savannah, Georgia. For all the work she has done for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Wright was honored as the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.

Wright has used her increased publicity to further advocate for those with disabilities. Following an appearance on The Rachael Ray Show, Bitty & Beau's became the official coffee of the show for the 2018 year.

Ever humble, Wright says that she hopes her example will inspire other companies to hire people with disabilities. Wright continues that there is an unemployment epidemic in the United States, and that companies being willing to hire those with disabilities will lead to more economic development and prosperity for the nation.

What do you think of Wright’s mission to help people with disabilities? Have you ever visited a Bitty & Beau’s? Let us know in the comments and pass this along to your friends and family to see what they think!