321 Coffee Grand Opening on August 20 of New Storefront in Downtown Raleigh
321 Coffee opening downtown to highlight inclusion in Raleigh
Amanda, Sam, Lindsay, Russell, and Katie celebrate the grand opening of 321 Coffee’s shop in Downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh, N.C. (August 17, 2022) – 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is expanding its inclusive workforce with a new location in the heart of downtown Raleigh. 321’s newest shop will be located at 615 Hillsborough St., set in the courtyard of the Bloc83 development at the intersection of Hillsborough Street and Glenwood Avenue. It will feature a full coffee menu with rotating specials and light food offerings, and be open seven days a week from 7 AM - 6 PM.
The greater Raleigh community can gather this Saturday, August 20th, at 9:30 AM for the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to support 321’s mission of inclusion while enjoying a great cup of coffee, recently recognized by News and Observer as the best in the Triangle.
On a mission to change the statistic that 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed, the company currently operates a shop at the State Farmers Market, as well as a private cafe in Pendo’s new downtown tower that exclusively serves Pendo employees. 321’s current locations employ over 40 individuals with IDD and maintain a waitlist of over 100 people seeking employment. The new expansion created 9 new barista and cashier positions on 321’s team.
Barista Emma Wissink says, “The storefront stands for inclusion. It will bring together my friends and my community. It will create a platform for everyone to see us working and being an active part of Raleigh.”
321 Coffee baristas (left to right) Sam, Shanti, Russell, and Emma smile while holding their cups of coffee.
Raleigh has championed 321 Coffee since its inception. On the opening day of 321 Coffee’s first shop at the State Farmers Market in 2019, they ran out of coffee in the first three hours due to overwhelming support. 321 Coffee’s mission continues to grow as people from the Triangle and beyond spread the word, and leave the shop feeling caffeinated and uplifted.
Co-founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans graduated from NC State in 2021 with a passion for social business. These young entrepreneurs dreamt of opening a 321 Coffee in downtown Raleigh since starting the company together out of their college dorm rooms in 2017.
When asked what this milestone means to her, Wrege shares, “Having a standalone shop in downtown Raleigh has been our dream since starting 321 Coffee. We started with folding tables and saying ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if…’ This week, we get to see that dream come true!”
“We’ve built an amazing team that has poured their hearts, along with hours and hours of work, into growing 321. Now we get to stand back and see what this community has created together. Opening this storefront is a team win,” shares Evans.
"A special thank you to our friends at PMC Commerical Interiors, Little Architecture, and L3 Commercial for their support in taking the initial steps in bringing this dream to life," concludes Wrege.
About 321 Coffee
321 Coffee is a coffee shop and roaster focusing on workforce inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Located in Raleigh, the company currently employs over 40 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 321 baristas do it all: roasting the coffee, taking the orders, making the lattes. Together they are demonstrating the value of an inclusive business model. Launched in 2017, the company is on a mission to change the statistic that 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed.
Interested in enjoying 321 Coffee at your home or place of business? Shop the online store at shop.321coffee.com or submit a wholesale inquiry to partner@321coffee.com.