The Inclusive Bean, a coffee shop employing people of all abilities, opening March 23

Mar. 7—RACINE — A new shop is moving into Racine, and its brewing more than just coffee.

The Inclusive Bean will employ people with disabilities, offering them an opportunity to gain work and social skills through individualized support and resources.

Racine natives Amelia and Max Fahnrich started the nonprofit organization in May 2021.

While they have had pop-ups before, they will be opening their brick-and-mortar coffee shop March 23.

"Down to the name and the logo — everything is what we created together, so it's really cool to see things come full circle," Amelia Fahnrich said. "We've been talking about this for like three years now, so it's cool that we're finally here."

The grand opening will include free T-shirts for the first 50 customers, raffles for baskets with items from local businesses, a balloon artist and an Easter bunny.

How it all came together

Amelia Fahnrich has been the principal at Sonnenberg Schools, a school for children with disabilities, for the past four years.

Before her career in education, she provided behavior therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder and nannied for a child with a disability.

After hearing about a restaurant in Illinois that employed people with disabilities, Amelia Fahnrich knew she wanted to open a business with a similar mission, but it wasn't until she visited Inspired at 883 W. Main St. in Lake Geneva that she knew she had to bring the idea to fruition in Racine.

Supporting their employees

One key part of the mission at The Inclusive Bean is providing tools, support and resources to employees.

There will be a 50/50 split between neurodiverse and neurotypical staff members at The Inclusive Bean, Amelia Fahnrich said. This is to ensure that everyone is supported in case those with disabilities need a bit of extra coaching or things get too overwhelming.

The Fahnrichs have hired more than 20 individuals with disabilities and about 10 supporting staff members.

"A lot of places will hire individuals with disabilities, but they're not putting in the time and effort and energy to build their skills, versus giving them monotonous tasks," Amelia Fahnrich said. "I'm really invested in skill building and helping them take this to another level for them because I do think — with the proper tools, support and resources — anyone can be successful within this, so we're making sure we're doing our part in supporting them."

Part of that support includes paying employees more than minimum wage.

"We're starting them at $10 an hour. That was something that I was really passionate behind," Amelia Fahnrich said. "I want them to feel that their value and work and what they contribute to is worth just as much as anybody else's."

Bridging the gap

Max Fahnrich remembers classmates with disabilities being cast away to a different part of the school and being seen as different. He wants to make sure he is creating an inclusive environment with the coffee shop where everyone can be seen as equals.

"I feel fortunate that we can bridge this gap between neurodiverse people and neurotypical people and find a way to make this connection together," Max Fahnrich said. "It'll open doors in your mind, and you'll see the needs and who these people are."

Some of the neurodiverse individuals at The Inclusive Bean have had previous employment opportunities that didn't work out, Amelia Fahnrich said.

She is hoping to create a new mold and set new expectations.

"I'm excited to pave a way that's different for individuals with disabilities and provide resources and support that they normally wouldn't have," Amelia Fahnrich said.

Investing in the community

Located at 1930 Albert Street, The Inclusive Bean will be the first commercial space in the Belle City Square campus.

Previously home to the historic Horlick Factory, the 16-acre site houses residential apartments and commercial spaces for retail, dining and entertainment.

In addition to helping people with disabilities find employment, the Fahnrichs want to be a resource hub by getting out in the community and "helping this population as much as they can."

Two students from Shepherds College — a post-secondary school for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities — are joining The Inclusive Bean for a semester-long internship through the school's culinary program.

"Everyone we've talked to — people who have family members with special needs in the workforce — so often they come back and say 'We need to have a place like this, where our children, cousins, uncles have a place to grow and interact with the community,'" Max Fahnrich said.

People do want to work

Something Max Fahnrich hears often within the business community is that 'I can't find anyone to work' and 'Nobody wants to work,' but he has found the opposite to be true at The Inclusive Bean.

One of the staff members at takes Ktown Transportation, a Kenosha-based, non-medical transportation company for people with special needs, to work. If a shift starts at 9 a.m., that staff member wakes up at 5 a.m. and arrives at the coffee shop 45 minutes before their shift, Max Fahnrich said.

"These people are lining up; they want to be here, and they're here early — no problem," he said. "If other businesses could understand this and just find a little bit of money within themselves to hire someone who maybe has some experience with special needs, you will have an amazing resource of employment. And they will have the capability to do all the jobs, especially with a little bit of training. It's just about taking the time to do it."

Order up

Like a typical coffee shop, The Inclusive Bean will have a full-service espresso bar with specialty coffee and a variety of syrups, sauces and cold foams to choose from.

Colectivo Coffee of Milwaukee will be the shop's roaster of choice.

The Inclusive Bean also will serve lemonade, smoothies, matcha, chai and other specialty teas. Alternative milks will be available.

Partnering with Bendsten's Bakery, 3200 Washington Ave, Inclusive Bean will offer bakery items, including a variety of kringles.

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