Independant Beans cafe celebrates one year of providing meaningful employment

It’s been a year since a Kirwan cafe began serving delicious food and coffee while providing meaningful employment those who are often overlooked. Read more about this hidden gem.

Independent Beans in Kirwan was created as a way to offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities who can often be overlooked by other employers. Rakaila Turner, Malcolm Rose, Ayva Sanderson and Sarah Lynch-Harlow. Picture: Evan Morgan

A cafe providing meaningful employment to people with disabilities has ticked over their one year anniversary of serving delicious food and coffee to customers with a smile, and sometimes a sing-a-long.

On November first last year, Independent Beans opened their doors to the public with the goal of providing meaningful employment to people who are often ignored by other employers and businesses.

The owner of the cafe, Sarah Tarttelin said the last year has been everyone she had hoped it would be.

“It has exceeded every expectation I have. It’s been incredible to watch everyone grow with confidence in themselves,” she said.

“When they start they’re unsure and nervous and shy but they’re also saying ‘we’ve never been given this opportunity’ and they want to do good and they are doing absolutely incredibly.”

Independent Beans in Kirwan was created as a way to offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities who can often be overlooked by other employers. A mnm cookie and a unicorn cookie. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Everyday they just get better at what they do and they don’t need us there. They are confident in their job, and they just own it.”

The cafe has built a strong customer base with people entering for a coffee and quickly realising that the little store in Kirwan offers so much more than that.

Independent Beans in Kirwan was created as a way to offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities who can often be overlooked by other employers. Chicken Salad. Picture: Evan Morgan

“When you walk in, you’re singing, you’re dancing. It’s not just grab a coffee and go,” Ms Tarttelin said.

“(Customers) know that they’re doing something good by grabbing their morning coffee.”

Since opening they have expanded their food menu to include grab-and-go bagels, salads and cookies and to celebrate the businesses first birthday they did two days of celebrations, including giving away free coffees.

Independent Beans in Kirwan was created as a way to offer employment opportunities for people with disabilities who can often be overlooked by other employers. Cob Loaf Bagel. Picture: Evan Morgan

“It gives people who haven’t been before a chance to visit and hopefully grab some new customers and just show everyone what we’re all about.”

Struggling to keep up with the large amount of resumes she is receiving, Ms Tarttelin is always considering opening a second store but is also encouraging other businesses to hire people with disabilities.

“I definitely encourage more businesses to get behind it. There’s opportunity for incredible employees and they might be looking past some really lovely people,” she said.

“It’s something so simple, it wasn’t a crazy concept of hiring people with equal opportunities, it’s not hard but it makes such a good difference.”

Independent Beans Cafe is at 3/1 Forest Ave, Kirwan.

Originally published as Independant Beans cafe celebrates one year of providing meaningful employment