There’s something special going on at Bitty and Beau's Coffee. While conversation often accompanies a cup of coffee, the exchanges happening here are changing the way we value others.
A family-founded venture, Bitty & Beau’s is a “human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop,” where people with intellectual & developmental disabilities are not just appreciated in the workplace but celebrated.
Fueled by a desire to create a more inclusive world for individuals with disabilities and to provide a platform for changing societal perceptions, the inception of Bitty and Beau's was driven by the creative force of a tight-knit family—Amy and Ben Wright and their four children, including Bitty and Beau, the youngest two and born with Down syndrome.
After learning more than 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed nationwide, the Wrights delved into advocacy and ultimately decided to create a place where people with disabilities are valued and given opportunities for meaningful work. With that, Bitty & Beau’s was born: a coffee shop with “an unforgettable staff that changes the way people see other people.”
The shop began in 2016 in a 500-square-foot space in Wilmington, North Carolina. Within just six months, to accommodate tremendous growth, they moved to a new location ten times the size. The journey continued with Good Morning America, People Magazine, Rachael Ray and other notable media featuring the coffee shop, resulting in widespread coverage and a significant increase in followers.
Now, Bitty & Beau’s proudly employs 400+ individuals with disabilities nationwide across 20 locations in 12 states, embodying the transformative power of inclusivity and their commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Emma Grace Wright, creative director, shares that their goal is not merely to serve beverages but to create jobs, set examples and reshape societal attitudes towards people with disabilities, emphasizing this as the underlying mission of their business.
Working within the family has been a seamless experience for Emma Grace. The familial bond and shared passion for the cause have been integral to the success of the venture. With a purpose-driven joy, she emphasized the positive nature of the growth, challenging historical perceptions of people with disabilities. Nationwide, the coffee shops have become environments where conversations flow freely, breaking down barriers and fostering inclusion.
Bitty and Beau’s has enjoyed numerous honors and recognitions for the initiative in modeling this successful business and serving as a positive presence in their community, including being named one of the Best Coffee Shops in the US.
It’s with great excitement that Colorado has welcomed its first location in late 2023 in the heart of the historic Pearl Street Mall.
The reception in Boulder has been nothing short of enthusiastic, with a grand opening in September drawing crowds of supporters. The inclusive design of the coffee shop, with no separation between employees and customers, encourages conversations and interactions.
“By including people with disabilities in the workplace, you're making it a normal thing," Emma Grace urges. “We really wanted to create a place where people can have these kinds of conversations.”
The deeper work of Bitty and Beau’s is about challenging stigmas, human-rights advocacy and calling upon the greater workforce to provide more inclusivity and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A champion for this cause, in 2017, founder Amy Wright was named a CNN Hero of the Year.
As Bitty and Beau's continues to grow, the vision remains clear—to inspire a world where people with disabilities are integrated into the workplace. The coffee shop aims to be a catalyst for change, not just within its walls but by influencing businesses worldwide to embrace inclusivity in the workplace. The hope is that the success stories of Bitty and Beau's employees will inspire other businesses to recognize the deep value within the disability community.
People with disabilities are valuable members of society. "Everyone deserves to feel like they belong," says Emma Grace. Bitty and Beau's Coffee is carving out a space where individuals with disabilities not only belong but thrive.
As the coffee shop continues to brew up success, it serves as a beacon of hope, challenging societal norms and fostering a more inclusive future, one cup at a time.
