By Anne Ruisi
It seems only natural that a man who loves coffee as much as Josh Galloway would get a part-time job as a barista at the new Homewood coffee shop, Bitty & Beau’s.
“He’s our coffee connoisseur,” Josh’s mom, Michelle Galloway, said of her 25-year-old son. Josh Galloway, a participant at The Exceptional Foundation, was excited to start work.
Bitty & Beau’s, which opened Nov. 11 at 1625 Oxmoor Road, is no ordinary spot to enjoy a cup of java. It’s staffed by workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of them participants at The Exceptional Foundation, which is just across the street.
Inspired by Amy and Ben Wrights’ two youngest children, who have Down syndrome, the brand was born in 2016 under the family’s leadership in Wilmington, North Carolina. Since its founding, Bitty & Beau’s has been dedicated to reshaping perceptions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly in the workplace, according to a company news release.
“Eighty percent of people with disabilities don’t have jobs – and we’re out to change that, not just by providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but by showing our guests what’s possible,” said company co-founder Amy Wright.
“Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has created a path for people with disabilities to become valued, accepted and included in every community. We’ve said it from the start, it’s more than just a cup of coffee,” Wright said. “With the support of the community behind us, we are energized to bring Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Birmingham, where we know that our store can positively impact the entire community.”
Robbie Lee, director of partnerships and outreach at the Exceptional Foundation, said employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities are essential.
Since they founded Bitty & Beau’s, the Wrights have franchised their brand with 24 stores across the country in 14 states, including much of the Southeast, Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to the company website, bittyandbeauscoffee.com. The shops employ more than 400 people with disabilities.
The Homewood store is the second in Alabama; the first opened in Auburn.
The shop’s new employees went through training the week before it opened, Michelle Galloway said, adding that she was impressed at how thoughtfully it was done. Employees were interviewed in groups of four to see how they interacted and to match them to specific jobs. The company is clearly supportive and accommodating to its workers, she added.
Jobs Are Key
Lee said employment opportunities are essential for adults with developmental disabilities.
“Having a business right across the street with this as their specialty is an amazing opportunity for our participants,” he said.
Josh Galloway, who became disabled as an infant due to treatment and surgery for brain cancer, was assigned barista duties. He said it was fun to learn how to make coffee drinks.
While his favorite to make is an iced latte, his favorite type to drink is a caramel macchiato, he said.
One employment challenge in general for workers, including the disabled, is finding reliable transportation to get to a job. Michelle Galloway noted that her son uses Uber to get to his other part-time job at a gym, where he works 12 hours a week. That can get expensive and isn’t an option for some.
Bitty & Beau’s location across the street from The Exceptional Foundation is more convenient.
“With Bitty & Beau’s being so close, we will be able to walk them across the street and back to the Exceptional Foundation once their shifts are complete. For our participants working at Bitty & Beau’s, this level of convenience is extremely helpful to their parents and caregivers,” he said.
Michelle Galloway agreed and said she thinks the business will be a success.
The staff at The Exceptional Foundation is thrilled the shop is open.
“We are so excited for the Bitty & Beau’s family, and our staff can’t wait to get our first cup of coffee!” Lee said.
