A Waco Coffee Shop on a Mission
When it comes to coffee, there’s so much more than meets the eye. Any coffee lover will tell you that it matters where coffee beans originated, how long they were roasted, and how finely they were ground. Yes, when it comes to coffee, behind-the-scenes production is critically important. And, for one Waco coffee shop, coffee is about all that – and so much more. It’s a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop.
See how Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Waco, TX, is elevating the coffee shop experience, making it a platform advocating the radical inclusion of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
How a Waco Coffee Shop is Changing the Way People See Other People
Don’t let the incredible array of freshly prepared lattes, fruit smoothies, and seasonal beverages fool you. At Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, there’s more going on here than just grabbing your morning latte. This coffee shop is on a mission.
Founded by Amy and Ben Wright in 2016 in Wilmington, NC, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee uses the coffee shop experience to change how people see people with disabilities. The Wrights have four children; Lillie, born with autism, and Bitty and Beau, born with Down Syndrome, but they aren’t letting anything slow them down. Instead, they are fighting the stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities to create thriving employment opportunities across the country. Fueled by their desire to make the world a better place for their children and others with similar disabilities, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee now has nearly two dozen franchised locations that are open or in the process of opening. The Waco location, owned by Mark and Amy Sauer, was the fourth Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to open nationwide and was the first in Texas.
“I love the sense of community when I come to work, the way it opens people’s minds about the unique value of people with disabilities. We serve great coffee and smoothies, but at the same time, we’re building life skills we can use anywhere.” – Hayden, an employee at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Waco
Despite being incredibly capable in many ways, nearly 80 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed nationwide. Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is seeking to change that. Advocating for the value, acceptance, and radical inclusion of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, your next cup of coffee may just change the world.
Coffee, Cream, Sugar, and a Pinch of Joy
Any doubt you have about the ability of people with disabilities being able to work in a fast-paced environment, like a coffee shop, will go out the door as soon as you step in. All front-line employees at this Waco coffee shop have developmental disabilities, like Down Syndrome or autism. It’s a noticeable factor, to be sure, but here, it’s not about what people with disabilities can’t do. It’s what they can. Sure, you’ll get a good cup of coffee and be an active participant in the effort to fight stereotypes about people with disabilities. But you’ll have a lot of fun doing both.
“When I walk in, I don’t feel like a customer in a coffee shop – I feel like a family member, and I can say hello to friends like Aaron, Andy, Bri, or Tanner. I’m not just a $3 cup of coffee. It’s a relaxing, welcoming place with great coffee and Frappe’s where people can study, work, or have a Bible study. I love the muffins, and the dance parties are the best!” – Robert, a customer at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Waco
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Happiest Place in Waco,’ Bitty and Beau’s is no stranger to spontaneous dance parties and karaoke, bringing a contagious joy to your morning coffee stop. As an active participant in the greater Waco community, Bitty & Beau’s has hosted National Coffee with a Cop, held gatherings for teachers at the local Aquilla Independent School District, and seeks to partner with community organizations also fighting similar stereotypes.
Join the Human Rights Movement at Bitty & Beau’s Waco.
Join us on a mission to change the way people see other people – one cup at a time. We are conveniently located at 110 Franklin Avenue in Waco, TX, blocks from the Magnolia Silos and Baylor’s McLane Stadium, across the street from the Waco Convention Center.
Come in for a cup of coffee. Find your joy. Leave your doubt.