The City of Raleigh's Building Up-Fit Grant offers funding to support commercial property interior improvements. Raleigh-native and local small business owner, Lindsay Wrege, shares the impact the Building Up-fit Grant has had on 321 Coffee.
Read More321 Coffee, which employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is is expanding its in-office business with a cafe inside the Perimeter Park headquarters of Relias, a healthcare technology company. The coffee brand already operates a location inside Pendo's Downtown Raleigh headquarters. Corporate partnerships are a main piece of the company's business model. "As companies are looking for strategic, return-to-office initiatives, 321 has been able to be a part of that – which has been fantastic for us," said 321 Coffee CEO and co-founder Lindsay Wrege.
Read MoreRelias, trusted education and workforce development partner to more than 11,000 healthcare organizations worldwide, today announced a new partnership with 321 Coffee, a Raleigh-based coffee shop and specialty roaster staffed by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through this partnership, Relias is building a 321 Coffee café inside its Morrisville headquarters that will serve as a unique environment for 321 and Relias staff to interact and further both companies’ shared mission of supporting inclusivity. “It means a lot when companies include me in things and make me feel like I am a part of their family, just like my 321 family,” says Sophie Pacyna, 321 Coffee Barista and Roaster. “I hope my friends are able to experience the same thing and that other companies can see how great we are.”
Read MoreA fateful conversation in 2017 among Park Scholars Lindsay Wrege '21, Michael Evans '20 '21 and their peers changed their college trajectories — and spurred a business with substantial community impact. "I mentioned at lunch one day that I'd love to start a coffee shop that employed people with disabilities," said Wrege, who grew up alongside friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and saw them struggle to find meaningful employment later on. "That's how everything kicked off." Now, Wrege and Evans are bringing their coffee business back to where it all began. As part of a new partnership, NC State and 321 Coffee have released a licensed co-branded coffee called Greater Good.
Read MoreRaleigh, North Carolina, has been making a name for itself as a top destination for those seeking an affordable and high-quality lifestyle. Among our list of fun-filled things to do in Raleigh is exploring its socially-conscious businesses. "My favorite way to spend a day in Raleigh is by doing a food crawl through social businesses and supporting local entrepreneurs. I start with coffee at 321 Coffee, a coffee shop that prioritizes diversity and inclusivity in its hiring practices. Then, I walk to A Place at the Table, a pay-what-you-can cafe for lunch. Finally, I end the day with a drink from Wye Hill, overlooking the downtown skyline."
Read MoreA fateful conversation in 2017 among Park Scholars Lindsay Wrege '21, Michael Evans '20 '21 and their peers changed their college trajectories - and spurred a business with substantial community impact. "I mentioned at lunch one day that I’d love to start a coffee shop that employed people with disabilities," said Wrege, who grew up alongside friends with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and saw them struggle to find meaningful employment later on. "That's how everything kicked off." Now, Wrege and Evans are bringing their coffee business back to where it all began. As part of a new partnership, NC State and 321 Coffee have released a licensed co-branded coffee called Greater Good.
Read MoreOn this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans of 321 Coffee. These Park Scholars cofounded the coffee company while they were freshmen at NC State with help from their scholarships, the Andrews Launch Accelerator and other sources of private support. The result: a Raleigh-based coffee company that currently employs more than 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 321 has also joined with NC State to produce an officially licensed cobranded coffee.
Read MoreA coffee company that has become one of the Triangle's most popular brands has landed a deal with N.C. State University. 321 Coffee, now with four coffee shop locations in the Triangle, employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans founded it in 2017 while students at N.C. State. Wrege and Evans are now partnering with their alma mater to produce the "Greater Good" blend. The medium roast coffee will feature N.C. State branding along with Sam, one of 321 Coffee's first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. The Greater Good will be available starting April 11. A portion of the sales will support N.C. State scholarships.
Read MoreNC State University announced today the start of a new partnership with alumni-owned and -operated 321 Coffee to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee. The “Greater Good” blend will be available for purchase directly from 321 Coffee beginning on April 11, with preorders opening today. The medium roast coffee features NC State branding and barista Sam, one of 321’s first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. A portion of the proceeds from Greater Good 321 Coffee sales will go to support NC State student scholarships in the areas of need, merit, study abroad and athletics.
Read MoreN.C. State announced Tuesday that it will partner with alumni-owned and operated 321 Coffee to produce a licensed co-branded coffee. The coffee is called the "Greater Good" blend and will be available to buy from 321 Coffee starting April 11 with preorders starting Tuesday. The university said the medium roast coffee features branding and barista Sam, who is one of 321 coffee’s first employees and a lifelong Wolfpack fan. "N.C. State and 321 are like a second family to me," said Sam. "Having their support means everything."
Read MoreNC State and 321 Coffee have teamed up to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee called "Greater Good." The collaboration is six years in the making - Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans started the inclusive coffee company as freshmen at the university in 2017. The new blend is a medium roast coffee, produced in 321's south Raleigh roasting facility. Its packaging features NC State branding (hi Mr. Wuf) and 321's story.
Read MoreNC State University announced Tuesday the start of a new partnership with alumni-owned and -operated 321 Coffee to produce an officially licensed co-branded coffee. The "Greater Good" blend will be available for purchase directly from 321 Coffee on April 11. Preorders can be placed Tuesday.
Read MoreAs a child, some of Lindsay Wrege's friends had differing abilities. As an adult, she saw that those same friends had difficulties finding jobs that respected and embraced the ways that they could work—if they could even find a job at all. This inspired her to create 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster built on inclusion. In this episode, learn how she uncovers those abilities and empowers those employees to be the best roasters, cashiers and baristas they can be.
Read MoreIt may surprise you that we live in a city - and in a moment - where the highest profile positions are held by women. True placemakers, trailblazers and changemakers, these women shape and lead our community while setting the tone and pace for all its denizens—including the women we celebrate on these pages. To honor that remarkable truth and triumph, meet our Women Shaping the Future of Raleigh - an elite cast of local ladies including Lindsay Wrege of 321 Coffee - who are literally helping shape the future of our city.
Read MoreLenovo champions diversity and inclusion through the products and services they provide, the values they foster and through internal practices. Locally, Lenovo takes that effort to a new level with its partnership with 321 Coffee. The Raleigh coffee shop employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to give them an opportunity to thrive in a work environment. "At Lenovo, our mission is to provide smarter technology for all, and we are proud to partner with organizations like 321 Coffee,” said CMO Gerald Youngblood. “We are grateful for this opportunity to implement Lenovo technology in a space where it will make a lasting impact."
Read MoreWhen coffee and tech collide – 321 Coffee is dedicated to creating an environment that enables independence for their team. Lenovo is proud to play in a part in that journey. Check out the technology package that Lenovo contributed to 321 Coffee’s Roasting Facility.
Read MoreTriangle Business Journal celebrates the best in Triangle commercial real estate - shining a light on the projects, people and companies that make the Triangle one of the best places to do business. For Top Restaurant Project, we recognize 321 Coffee, a coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, opened early in 2022 in Raleigh’s largest urban courtyard at Bloc(83).
Read MoreIn most ways, 321 Coffee looks like any other trendy café on a busy Saturday afternoon. Sunbeams filter through full-length windows. Pops of turquoise, mustard yellow and scarlet punctuate the shop’s interior. While the drinks and pastries are scrumptious, what sets the shop apart is its deep commitment to inclusivity. By hiring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, and sensory processing disorders, 321 is paving the way to a more diverse and welcoming workforce.
Read MoreToday, All Access Live visits with Michael Evans of 321 Coffee. Michael is a co-founder of 321 Coffee, a Triangle coffee shop and roaster that has been employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since its founding in 2017.
Read More321 Coffee has a mission: including everyone and proving that a disability does not limit you. The North Carolina coffee business 321 Coffee does just that, and the end of 2022 brought them new resources to do so in Durham. Barista Emma Wissink has been with the company since they started. She says every day is a chance to show customers that her disability doesn’t set her back. “It feels amazing to see little kids,” she said. “The moms will say, ‘Hey, that woman has a job and also has IDD,’ so it’s nice to see that the kids have an opportunity to grow.”
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