In 2007, Jack and Athan Miller along with Scott Parker, set out on a mission that served a much bigger purpose than bringing good food to Arvada. What began as a small coffee shop has since blossomed into Jack’s Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant with a human rights movement attached—employing individuals with developmental disabilities.
“My wife’s entire professional career involved working with that community and we decided to take a chance even though we knew nothing about the restaurant business,” laughs Jack. “We work individually with each employee to find their strengths and the tasks that they can succeed at. Some employees thrive by working front of house while others find solace in our prep kitchen.” Today, the business employs over 150 people, many with down syndrome, autism and a full spectrum of other developmental disabilities. “Our business model is to employ as many people as we can,” says Jack. “We purposely created an ‘inefficient’ work environment so that we can create more job opportunities. We did not start this business with the hopes of becoming restaurateurs, it was always about helping people. Maybe another restaurant or business will see what we are doing and consider employing people with intellectual disabilities as well.”
“We closely work with each individual and it’s unbelievable to see their progress over time,” beams Jack. “We have one employee in particular who is highly autistic. She was frightened of loud noises and would become distressed very easily. We found that with her specific type of autism, she was unbelievable at doing hyper-focused tasks such as chopping vegetables. She is a machine! Her vegetables come out more perfect than you would be able to find in a grocery store.”
The impact doesn’t stop in the kitchen, Jack’s has fostered a deep sense of community for its staff. For many, the restaurant offers much more than just a paycheck—it’s a place where employees can feel a sense of belonging and pride. “We have employees that started with us and are very shy. Over time we have seen them really come full circle and now joke around with other team members,” says Jack. This feeling of purpose and connection has led to significant improvements in the lives of employees, who feel empowered to succeed and supported in their roles. “Our very first employee is still with us to this day, and we are very grateful to have her,” smiles Jack.
Not only is Jack’s renowned for their hiring practices, but their delicious small-batch jams have also gained national attention. In 2015, the restaurant was featured on the ABC food talk show "The Chew," causing such a surge of interest that caused the restaurant’s website to crash. Today, their jams, under the brand "A Different Kind of Jam," are stocked in the restaurant, online and sold in local stores.
Beyond its inspiring mission, Jack’s Bar and Grill is open daily from 8am to 9pm and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with incredible Happy Hour and daily food specials. Jack's also offers a party room available for rent, making it an ideal space to host holiday gatherings while supporting a business that’s dedicated to giving back. For more information you can visit them at jacksatfiveparks.com.