321 Coffee to open new store in Durham, expanding jobs for people with disabilities

The new shop for 321 Coffee is located at 300 Morris St., part of the Durham Innovation District.

Posted 12:30 p.m. Nov 26, 2022 — Updated 12:49 p.m. Nov 26, 2022

WRAL Staff

DURHAM, N.C. — A local coffee shop and roaster that employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is expanding its inclusive workforce from its Raleigh base to its first location in the heart of downtown Durham.

The new shop for 321 Coffee is located at 300 Morris St., part of the Durham Innovation District.

The community is invited to gather at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 for the grand opening and ribbon cutting to celebrate 321’s mission of inclusion while enjoying a great cup of coffee.

On a mission to change the statistic that 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed, 321 Coffee currently operates three locations in Raleigh, including its original shop at the State Farmers Market, a private cafe in Pendo’s headquarters, and its first standalone shop in downtown Raleigh that opened earlier this year.

The company currently employs more than 50 individuals with IDD and maintains a waitlist of more 100 people seeking employment. The Durham expansion created new barista and cashier positions on 321’s team.

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Lead barista Emma Wissink says, “I’m proud to see growth in myself and in our company. I’ve been here since 2017, the very beginning, and I’m proud to be contributing to a team that is growing. We are able to grow because the community is supporting us, so thank you to everyone who is promoting inclusion and a diverse workforce.”

The company was founded in 2017 by Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans, Raleigh entrepreneurs and recent alumni of North Carolina State University. The two started 321 Coffee together out of their college dorm rooms, and since then Raleigh has been an incredible home for 321 Coffee.

What started as pop-up coffee stands on folding tables at various local events has grown to become a well-loved and steadfast staple in the community. Wrege, Evans and the whole team are excited to open their doors in a new city to continue to spread awareness for disability inclusion, serve delicious coffee, and leave customers feeling uplifted and caffeinated, eager to come back and soak up more of the inspiring atmosphere.

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“I’m especially proud of our team for this huge milestone of expanding our presence to a new city," Wrege said. "In 2022, we will have grown from one to four locations, and this has been made possible by our team stepping up, coming together, and working really hard.

"This doesn’t happen because of one person; this is truly a team success."

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