As a hard-core-basic girl, thinking about buying coffee from anywhere else besides Starbucks was completely out of the question. I mean where else can I say I would like a trenta caramel frappuccino, extra whip and sound completely normal? Besides their incredibly amazing and overpriced drinks, Starbucks also offers great customer service. For about a decade, my motto has been “Starbucks gets all the bucks,” until I went to Beau’s.
Beau’s Coffee had it’s grand opening on Monday, January 25th and just like their employees, it was nothing short of extraordinary. Beau’s Coffee is manned by people with Down’s Syndrome as well as other intellectual disabilities. Amy Wright, the owner and mother of two children with Down’s Syndrome, sought out to show our community and the world that those with intellectual disabilities are great people and capable of doing great work. Besides making coffee, clearing tables, and running the register, Beau’s beaming employees bring a smile to every customer’s face. Local coffee aficionado, Kayla Hohos said: “The culture of the place is so evident…. The employees’ genuine happiness is infectious and when you walk inside they change your perspective on life and what it means to be kind to everyone and to pay attention to people.”
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Wright and her husband came up with the idea for Beau’s Coffee when thinking about the low amount of employment opportunities that would be available for their two youngest children, Beau and Bitty. Wright told Port City Daily that although her children are not looking for jobs yet, she is aware of the need for employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Beau’s Coffee is not the Wright’s first step towards improving job opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities. In 2015, the Wrights founded Able to Work USA, a non-profit organization with the mission to pair people with IDD with businesses willing to hire them.
During their first two weeks, Beau’s has left a great impression on its customers. UNCW student, Kyndall DySard, was impressed by the employees, saying, “Everyone working there was super enthusiastic and lovely to be around.” DySard also really enjoyed the innovative way Beau’s Coffee handles its orders. Upon ordering, each customer is handed a playing card and once your order is ready, they call out the card that was initially handed to you! Hearing “two of clubs” or “seven of hearts” is much more pleasing than someone mispronouncing your name or yelling out your extra fattening drink for everyone to hear. Aside from having a great philanthropy and reasonably priced coffee (I’m shaking my head at you Starbucks), Beau’s coffee is actually REALLY good! A recent customer, Jessie Barnette, held nothing back when boasting about Beau’s: “Besides the sweetness from the employees, it was honestly the best coffee I’ve ever had!”
Beating out big name brands like Starbucks and Port City Java, Beau’s Coffee is well on its way to becoming Wilmington’s go-to coffee shop!
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Beau’s Coffee is located at 4414 Wrightsville Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.