Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, originally Beau’s Coffee, was established in January of 2016 by Ben and Amy Wright in Wilmington, North Carolina.

My favorite coffee shop is in my hometown, and I never miss a chance to swing by whenever I’m in town. The dim lights, perfect aroma, and cozy leather lounge chairs make it the perfect place to escape after a hard week of deadlines, papers, and unannounced quizzes.

In many ways, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee is exactly like that shop and coffee shops all around the world. Filled with the warm smell of brewing coffee mixed with

In other ways, it’s much different than any other place you’ve ever been. It’s filled with a certain warmth and joy that is almost indescribable.

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee was created for its namesakes, Bitty and Beau Wright. Bitty, 7, and Beau, 12, are the youngest of the Wright’s four children, and they have Down’s syndrome.

The Wrights established the coffee shop so their kids would one day have somewhere to work. They were well aware of the fact that individuals with mental disabilities often have no luck in the workforce. They wanted to change that, both for their own kids and others who were struggling in the area.

Bitty & Beau’s is staffed almost entirely by people with mental disabilities, the majority having Down’s syndrome.

I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about visiting the coffee shop for the first time over Labor Day weekend. In situations like those, be it right or wrong, I often feel uncomfortable and on edge, as if I might say or do the wrong thing.

After walking into the coffee shop, I was immediately overwhelmed with calmness. There were a handful of people sitting around tables, and a few waiting in line. The space was filled with joy and was such an easy place to be comfortable.

I saw these people, men and women, who had every right and every ability to function in the workforce just as I do, getting that opportunity. I saw people, myself included, realize that there’s nothing “wrong” with them.

Bitty & Beau's is changing the way we see, value, include, accept, love, and respect others, one cup of coffee at a time.

I learned so much, about myself and others, and left with my heart feeling so full. I absolutely cannot wait to go back.

Plus, the caramel frappe was to die for.