Hattie's
Café Express opens in Cleveland
New jobs for people
with disabilities are making their way to
Cleveland this spring.
Hattie Larlham, a nonprofit organization that provides services
to people with disabilities, and the Cuyahoga
County Board of Developmental Disabilities
have teamed up to open Hattie’s Express
Café.
“We’re absolutely
thrilled about the partnership we were able
to forge,” Dotty Grexa, Hattie Larlham
executive director, said.
The café is an
offshoot of the popular Hattie’s Café
and Gifts in Hudson and Akron, Ohio, which
are operated by Hattie Larlham. The newest
addition opened Monday, March 30.
Three people with disabilities
are employed in the café, which is
located in the Cuyahoga County Board of
Developmental Disabilities downtown offices.
Employees work with job coaches serving
up food, ringing out customers and helping
with shipments.
“In these economic
times it’s tough for anyone to find
employment,” said Terrence M. Ryan,
Ph.D., Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental
Disabilities superintendent. “Hattie’s
Café Express is going to open new
doors and provide great opportunities for
people with disabilities.”
The shop is open five
days a week, serving brown bag lunches,
milkshakes and ice cream to Cuyahoga County
Board of Developmental Disabilities employees
and visitors.
“We have plans to
eventually expand to cater lunches and meetings
for downtown businesses,” Grexa said.
“But right now our focus in on providing
a quality product.”
Grexa said the café
seats up to 48 people and she expects to
serve 50 meals during the lunch rush.
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