The Carolina Hurricanes today announced that the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation will make an initial donation of $350,000 in cash grants to 21 different organizations throughout North Carolina. One of the organizations to receive a cash grant is 321 Coffee.
Read More321 Coffee employs people with developmental disabilities throughout the Triangle. Like many other firms, 321 Coffee is celebrating inclusivity Thursday for World Down Syndrome Day. People with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome, which is why the 21st is the day the community celebrates. And one typical tactic is wearing brightly colored mismatched socks, as chromosomes are shaped like socks. 321 Coffee is planning a big corporate event Thursday morning at Pendo's headquarters as well as weekend community events at its shops in Raleigh and Durham.
Read MoreGrab a pair of brightly colored mismatched socks to celebrate and raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day with 321 Coffee from Saturday, March 23 through Sunday, March 24. World Down Syndrome Day falls on March 21 every year. People with Down syndrome have three - one more than typical - copies of chromosome 21, this is why "321" represents Down syndrome. The cafe, which currently employs over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is celebrating this global awareness day at both its downtown Raleigh and Durham locations.
Read MoreFrom welcoming cafes to trendy boutiques, Raleigh, North Carolina is filled with thriving female-owned businesses. In honor of Women's History Month, we're showcasing a few of Raleigh's enterprises that make lasting global impacts. Enterprises like 321 Coffee, an inclusive business that employs adults with disabilities. Today, 321 employs over 50 adults in six locations.
Read MoreWe all know Raleigh and the Triangle are making a lot of "best of lists" around the country, but did you know it also includes lists for the growing number of female entrepreneurs and business owners. 321 Coffee, founded in 2017 by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans, embraces diversity to its fullest and providing great coffee to Raleigh. They employ 50+ employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities who all roasting the coffee, take the orders, and make the lattes.
Read MoreWith equipment and technology backing a mission to create a truly inclusive coffee business, 321 Coffee has been reaching new heights in North Carolina. The company's growing roasting operation provides tools that allow staff with intellectual and developmental disabilities to succeed. Roasting and Production Manager Lesley Robinson guides roasting professionals Sophie Pacyna and Paul Kocher (pictured) in entering profiles into their roaster - and understanding how different variables might influence a given profile. "Technology really helps Sophie and Paul understand more about how to manage and curate a roast," said Robinson.
Read MoreA growing coffee business based in Raleigh is expanding its offerings to serve more offices and corporate events. 321 Coffee, a locally owned business employing individuals with disabilities, is launching a mobile coffee cart service to sell its coffee at events, parties and business offices. The new venture will allow the company to create more employment opportunities.
Read More321 Coffee’s new storefront location at Bloc[83] in downtown Raleigh, supports their mission to create opportunity and employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our team designed the interiors for this new 321 Coffee shop, which is its first brick-and-mortar location. 321 Coffee’s leaders describe this shop as “a monumental step for the company” that thrives on community engagement and encourages other companies to adopt a similar philosophy of inclusion.
Read MoreWe've put together a collection of New Year's Eve events for families and children taking place in Raleigh and across the Triangle, ranging from the beloved (early) Acorn Drop at First Night to dance parties in small venues and museums. Check out 321 Coffee's Noon Year's Eve Celebration - where you can enjoy a hot chocolate bar and get your own mug to take home with you.
Read MoreRaleigh has not yet been home to a Hallmark holiday movie set, so we decided to do the hard work for the TV channel. We asked our readers to cast and write a Raleigh-themed holiday movie. Find out how 321 Coffee helps the characters fall in love …
Read MoreA fast-growing coffee company in Raleigh is taking the next step in its expansion. 321 Coffee has opened its own roasting facility in partnership with Lenovo. The facility, located in south Raleigh, is up and running after a year of planning and preparation. The facility's roasting capacity allows the company, which employs people with disabilities, to expand beyond its storefront cafes with more retail store distribution and direct-to-consumer sales.
Read MoreThe countdown is on to the Raleigh Christmas Parade happening this Saturday. Alyssa Poth, manager of the 321 Coffee in Block 83 couldn’t be more excited. She told CBS 17 they’re planning to open up early for the parade. “We have lots of stuff planned for tomorrow. We’re having a fun set up outside, we’re having extra baked goods, we’re having a quick service menu,” said Poth.
Read More“Welcome!” rings out from smiling faces behind the counter of 321 Coffee. With delightful drinks and impeccable customer service, 321 Coffee is more than a coffee shop. It’s an experience built on a mission to create opportunities for people with disabilities. 321 Coffee weaves intentionality into every aspect of their brews and business.
Read MoreThe NC State Alumni Association held our 18th annual Evening of Stars gala during NC State’s 2023 Red and White Week to honor the alumni whose successes increase the value of an NC State degree and add to the university’s growing legacy of excellence, impact and service. Hear from Michael Evans ‘20, ‘21 and Lindsay Wrege ‘21 - winners of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for their work at 321 Coffee.
Read More321 Coffee is more than just a coffee shop and roaster; it's a vibrant embodiment of inclusion. With welcoming locations in Raleigh, Durham and the State Farmers Market, they've set a remarkable example by employing over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These incredible individuals are at the heart of 321 Coffee, roasting coffee, taking orders and crafting lattes, illustrating the power of an inclusive business model.
Read MoreExplore the heartwarming journey of 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster that thrives on inclusivity, employing over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Delve into their humble beginnings, meet the exceptional team, and discover their delightful drink recommendations, all while uncovering the profound symbolism behind the name "321 Coffee."
Read MoreA local coffee brand known for its community involvement is expanding. 321 Coffee is now selling bags of its coffee in Weaver Street Market stores. The Raleigh brand has grown from a single coffee shop stall in the State Farmers Market to several retail locations and a roasting facility. "I want people with disabilities to be able to walk down the aisles of grocery stores and see a product that represents them. Now that’s happening!" said Lindsay Wrege, co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee.
Read MoreDurham is a city renowned for its commitment to the art of coffee. With a diverse and thriving coffee culture, the Bull City boasts an impressive array of coffee shops, each with its own unique character. Explore the lively downtown area with an array of coffee shops that offer diverse and distinctive experiences - like 321 Coffee on Morris Street. 321 Coffee is a beacon of inclusivity - priding itself on employing over 50 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them to roast coffee, manage orders and create exquisite lattes.
Read More“By choosing to get coffee from 321, you’re part of a larger mission and a larger solution,” Lindsay Wrege says. She and Michael Evans co-founded 321 Coffee, a coffee shop that prioritizes employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in 2017. The shop has grown significantly from its humble beginnings when the team would set up folding tables and a home coffee brewer anywhere in Raleigh that would welcome them; it’s now established a permanent presence at the State Farmers Market, along with two additional storefronts and Lindsay realized a long-time dream when 321 opened its doors in Durham in December 2022.
Read MoreIn a celebration of women entrepreneurs, Lindsay Wrege will address the Lycoming College campus with a talk entitled, "Student to CEO: Dream Big and Start Small," on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in Trogner Presentation Room in the Krapf Gateway Center. Wrege, co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, will share the story of how she launched her business out of her dorm room at North Carolina State University with the idea that business should be used for positive social impact.
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