‘A community win’: Coffee shop with inclusive employment celebrates 3rd anniversary
RALEIGH, North Carolina — On Sunday, a coffee shop dedicated to hiring disabled people celebrated its third anniversary.
321 denotes March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.
Over 30 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are employed by the business.
The first standalone location of 321 Coffee is scheduled to open in downtown Raleigh in the coming months.
In 2019, 321 Coffee opened at the North Carolina State Farmers Market.
The name is derived from March 21, World Down Syndrome Day. Additionally, the number is significant because Down syndrome patients have a third copy of their 21st chromosome.
“We employ people with disabilities. They roast the coffee, take orders, and make the lattes. They accomplish everything and then some,” Lindsay Wrege, co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, stated.
According to 321 Coffee, 80% of people with disabilities are unemployed, making having an inclusive employer a life-changing experience.
“I believe that people with disabilities are human beings. I believe that everyone deserves a chance, regardless of their disabilities,” Matthew Schwab, a barista and coffee roaster at 321 Coffee, said. “It’s simply a pleasant place to work. The only way I can describe my sensation is that I simply feel happy and like myself.”
We survived COVID, and more are on the way. We’re ecstatic for today. It means a great deal that so many people have come to celebrate our people and our accomplishments. “To see how far we’ve come and the professional development that so many of our baristas have received, and to know that so many people contributed to that, is truly remarkable,” Wrege said. “It means the world to us that we’ve had a team believe in us from the start. We’ve grown tremendously here. We survived COVID, and more are on the way. We’re ecstatic for today. It means a great deal that so many people have come to honour our people and our success.”
“I believe that what makes 321 Coffee truly unique is that it is a community success story. It is staffed by members of the community. It is members of the community who have shown up. Some residents live directly across the street. Certain individuals drive 45 minutes for a cup of coffee. It’s truly remarkable to see how we’ve grown and the professional development that so many of our baristas have received, and to know that so many people contributed to that,” Wrege said.
321 Coffee recently opened a new employee-only location at Pendo’s Raleigh headquarters. A third location will open in downtown Raleigh in a few months at the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Hillsborough Street.
“We’re ecstatic about that location. It will be 321’s first true stand-alone shop. It will operate seven days a week. Therefore, keep an eye out for additional information there. We’re still in the construction phase, but we’re getting close,” Wrege explained.
“We’re extremely proud of the ways in which we’ve collaborated with so many different community organisations. Whether it’s businesses who have committed to supporting us through a diverse supply chain and utilising our coffee in the breakroom or co-branding coffee, or simply community groups who come here for a cup of coffee. It means the world to us when people show up. It’s simply a community victory,” Wrege stated.
