321 Coffee Announces New Storefront Location in Downtown Raleigh, Creating Jobs for Individuals with Disabilities
321 Coffee opening downtown to highlight inclusion in Raleigh
615 Hillsborough St. in the Bloc83 development will be 321 Coffee’s home in downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh, N.C. (January 12, 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. Projected to open in late spring 2022, 321’s newest shop will be located at 615 Hillsborough St. The greater Raleigh community can gather in support of inclusion while enjoying a great cup of coffee, recently recognized by News and Observer as the best in the Triangle.
The new location is 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 it will have ample outdoor seating.
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 and will soon be opening a private cafe in Pendo’s new headquarters exclusively for Pendo’s employees. 321’s current locations employ over 30 individuals with IDD and maintain a waitlist of over 50 people seeking employment. The new expansion will create growth opportunities for current staff while also allowing 321 to hire and develop new talent.
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.”
Raleigh has championed 321 Coffee since its inception. On the opening day of the shop at the State Farmers Market in 2019, 321 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 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.
Evans shares, “Most of our baristas have been with 321 since its earliest days of serving coffee on folding tables at events in the community. Our baristas have committed to our team to grow together from the beginning. Establishing this storefront is a team win.”
“This shop will be a place where we all come together as one community. It will embody the power of inclusion,” expresses Wrege.
"A special thank you to our friends at PMC Commercial Interiors, Little Architecture, and L3 Commercial for their support in taking the initial steps in bringing this dream to life," shares 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 30 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.