In downtown Winston-Salem, a coffee shop that employs people with intellectual or developmental disabilities is closing. It comes less than a year after a similar business ceased operations.
The closure of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee was announced by a sign on the door of the Fourth Street location, explaining that the business faced financial burdens it could not overcome.
Bitty & Beau’s has been there for more than two years. Some of its 20 employees have already been offered jobs since the announcement.
A local owner declined to comment. Last year, the company asked for community support over concerns that construction around the Stevens Center for the Performing Arts, its neighbor, would lead to fewer customers.
As reported by WFDD, Moji Coffee and More shuttered last summer.Leaders said then that a change in philanthropic giving after the pandemic made it harder for the nonprofit to survive.
Cam’s Coffee Co. has been a third downtown workplace for people with disabilities, It remains open in Kaleideum.