Connecticut News | - CT cafe 'where everyone belongs' reopens in larger space. The pasta and sauces to go came too. - Hartford Courant

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BeanZ & Co., the workplace “Where everyone belongs,” as their slogan goes, has re-opened in a new location.

The breakfast and lunch cafe that includes employees with special needs, reopened in a new, bigger location in Avon that will expand employment of adults with special needs.

The New England Pasta Company, which sells pasta and sauces to heat at home and grab-and-go food operates in the space as well.

“The seating has expanded a little, but what’s expanded are the opportunities,” said Kim Morrison, co-founder and co-owner of both businesses. “It’s a much nicer space.”

The businesses moved from to 300 West Main St. to 11 E. Main St. in Avon Village because of a 30 percent rent hike in the old location, Morrison said.

Morrison said the new space could be called “BeanZ & Co. 2.0.” At BeanZ, employees with special need to work front of house.

The business was founded by Morrison and Noelle Alix, both of whom have young adult daughters with Down Syndrome.

The New England Pasta Company, around for 29 years, is owned by Morrison with her husband.

The pasta company has been in business for 29 years and Beanz & Co. for five.

They held a grand-reopening celebration over the weekend.

The cafe, which currently employs eight adults with special needs, including those with Down Syndrome and on the autism spectrum, was added into the pasta business space originally, as a way to employ Morrison and Alix’s daughters.

People with intellectual disabilities often struggle to get hired. So this group of parents started their own business to change that.

Morrison said her daughter Megan, 25, has become more confident, more independent, she’s made friends and her social skills are improved.

“It blossomed into an amazing employment model,” Morrison said, noting other employees have blossomed as well.

The special needs adults will have more seating to handle and maybe, eventually, training to work back of house.

Megan Morrison, who has special needs, works the cash register at BeanZ & Co. grand reopening, as support staff Tammi O’Neal looks on.

“Everybody wants to have purpose in their day. Everyone deserves to have meaningful employment,” Morrison said.

She said people with special needs are hard workers, reliable, don’t call in sick and are capable in jobs they are able to do.

Before moving to the new location the women ran a GoFundMe campaign to outfit the kitchen and were successful.

“Every donation got us to where we are right now,” Morrison said.

“With BeanZ & Co., we are expanding job opportunities for people of all abilities, making our world an even better place to eat—a world where everyone belongs,” the pasta company website notes.

Beanz & Co., which also offers bakery products made on site, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the pasta portion of the business from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The colors and décor are similar to the old BeanZ & Co. and the space has rooms for special events, said Morrison, noting they also do catering.

For more information contact: beanzandco@gmail.com.

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