By Madelynn Loring, Staff Manager
Colorado welcomed its first Bitty and Beau’s Coffee this past fall. While there are many coffee shops to choose from, Bitty and Beau’s, now open on Pearl Street in Boulder, stands out for a great reason: radical inclusivity.
Bitty and Beau’s is a coffee chain that started in North Carolina in 2016. Its founders, Amy and Ben Wright, created their coffee shop to combat a very real problem in our communities: over 80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are unemployed, though the vast majority of them wish to work. Now with over 18 locations across the United States, including the shop in Boulder, Bitty and Beau’s coffee employs adults with I/DD in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Obviously, Bitty and Beau’s is amazing in terms of social justice, but when you are looking for a coffee shop, you are typically more concerned with the coffee, the snacks, and the ambiance. However, I am happy to report that Bitty and Beau’s Coffee exceed expectations on all marks. They offer a wide variety of drinks for coffee lovers, coffee haters, and everyone in between. There are plenty of alternative plant-based and lactose-free milk options as well. They also have a wide variety of tasty snacks to choose from, including cinnamon rolls and a fabulous rainbow bagel.
The best part about Bitty and Beau’s is the community vibes of the shop itself. It is a classy yet cozy spot with plenty of tables and outlets, perfect for study sessions or remote work. The workers, however, are what makes Bitty and Beau’s Coffee the place to be. The customer service is top tier, and you can tell that every drink is made with love.
One thing to note is that the calling system is a little bit different at Bitty and Beau’s coffee. To make the work accessible to everyone, they use a playing card system to call out when things are ready for pickup. When you order, you receive a laminated playing card. Then when your drink is ready, they will call out the playing card associated with your order. While it is unusual, it is a fun and easy way to pick up your drink (that also protects your privacy.)
Overall, I cannot recommend Bitty and Beau’s Coffee enough. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat or coffee drink that you can feel good about, swing by Bitty and Beau’s Coffee at 1468 Pearl St. Ste 120 in Boulder.