One Cup of Coffee Can Change Your Mind

Tyler, a barista at Bitty and Beau’s, explained his favorite part of working is “Learning new recipes every day, making friends during my shifts, and the free coffee after my shift.”

Tyler is just one of the baristas with disabilities, specifically down syndrome, who has found a new opportunity to work.

The family that changes the stigma of disabilities one cup of coffee at a time has arrived in Auburn. Bitty and Beau’s, the newest coffee shop in downtown, sponsors employees with disabilities and proves people with disabilities are able to work.

Amy and Ben Wright, the founders of Bitty and Beau’s, are originally from Tuscaloosa. They have four children, three of which were diagnosed with disabilities. Bitty and Beau have down syndrome, and Lillie was diagnosed with autism later in life. The start of Bitty and Beau’s coffee shop began with one objective: provide a place where children with disabilities can work and prove they are just as valuable in the work force as anyone else.

Beverly May, the Auburn franchise owner, said, “Over 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed nationwide.” May and her husband, Guy May, retired and moved to Auburn in March 2021 but knew they wanted to do more. All they could think about was what do the children with disabilities do when they graduate from school.

May talked about the setbacks they faced when they first decided to open a location in Auburn. May said, “We knew downtown was the place for us, but we had to wait for over a year for the perfect place.” Spontaneously getting dinner one night at Hamilton’s and talking about the new Auburn bank with vacant storefronts underneath, the May’s had no idea that the location of their coffee shop would be adjacent to their favorite date night spot.

The theme of the newest hangout spot is black and white modern. May said, “We all have the same theming to our franchises, but our location is the only one with the coffee machines on the back countertop. It gives the open and accepting vibe that aligns with our mission.”

The smell of the locally grown coffee beans filled Bitty and Beau’s. Greeted with welcomes and smiles, it’s hard to believe this business opened just one month ago. Customers such as Travis Harrison, an Auburn University student, experienced a “nice friendly touch” when they visited the coffee shop. Harrison added, “It’s a great place to do homework with great conversation.”

The menu varies as far as coffee. Frappuccinos, americanos, iced coffee, and hot cocoa are just a few of the drink menu items with a wide variety of their home-grown coffee beans of decaf and caffeinated blends. Food wise, muffins, brownies, bagels, biscuits, and danishes are offered. Harrison said, “It has quality muffins and strong coffee, which is how I like it.”

May explained her favorite part of the day is the switch between customers. The business scene in the morning and students in the afternoon. As she sat in the coffee shop during the late afternoon, she noticed a steady line of college students entering through the door to study for their first test of the semester. Within 10 minutes, the bar was full of 20-year-olds starring a hole into their computer and blocking out any noise with their air pods in their ears.

Wanting to do more with their community members in the future, Bitty and Beau’s plan to get more involved with their surrounding community. They want to connect with Auburn University’s Eagles Program, which is a student organization that sponsors Auburn students with disabilities.

According to May, “Changing people’s perspective is difficult as it is, but we can do it one cup of coffee at a time.”