Coffee shop hiring employees with disabilities opens first Ohio location

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) - A coffee shop that hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is opening its first central Ohio location.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee employs more than 400 people with disabilities at its locations across the country. Its newest spot is opening in Upper Arlington at 3110 Tremont Rd., inside the Kingsdale Shopping Center. The coffee shop is taking over the former location of Light Bulb Asian Café.

Not only is the coffee house new to Columbus, but it's the company's first shop in Ohio. The first shop opened in January 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina, starting with 19 employees with disabilities. Now, the franchise has locations across the U.S. As of now, there isn't an opening date for the coffee house, but the company website noted the shop is "coming soon."

Bitty & Beau's menu has a variety of options including hot and iced coffee, as well as flavored frappes and smoothies. The shop will also have breakfast food options including bagels and muffins along with sweet treats like cake pops, cookies and brownies.

According to Bitty & Beau's website, the shop is a "human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop." The company has a goal to inspire customers to include people with disabilities in their lives, whether it's work, school or social circles.