The newest Hattie’s Café Express opened in Akron’s Municipal Building on Wednesday, May 27. Here Mayor Plusquellic joins employee Katie Kosar, CEO Dennis Allen and café employee Melissa O’Connell at the grand opening. The café is a safe and educational environment where adults with disabilities can learn valuable and rewarding vocational skills they can take with them through their careers.
Hattie Larlham chose to open a Hattie's Café Express at this location upon receiving an invitation from the City of Akron. The café will be open to the general public and will serve made-fresh-daily items such as salads, soups and sandwiches, as well as made-from-scratch baked goods. As an offshoot of the full-service Hattie’s Café and Gifts in Hudson and Akron, Ohio, this express café will give those who work in or nearby the Akron Municipal Building the opportunity to enjoy some of these delicious favorites on the go.
Like the other Hattie’s Café locations, this Hattie's Café Express will employ people with disabilities. In total, Hattie Larlham’s six café locations employ 28 people with disabilities. Dotty Grexa, Hattie Larlham executive director, says these employment opportunities empower people with disabilities by instilling them with valuable learning experiences. “It’s not just a job for them,” she says. “They’re learning life skills. They’re making friends by connecting with customers and co-workers.”
