Hidden Gems: Meet Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans of 321 Coffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Wrege. Them and their team share their story with us below:

321 Coffee is a coffee shop and roaster built on neurodiversity inclusion. Located in Raleigh, the company currently employs over 20 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

321 Coffee was founded by NC State students Lindsay Wrege (age 21), Michael Evans (22), and Liam Dao (20). The students were aware of the harrowing statistic that 80% of individuals with IDD were unemployed, despite being eager and able to work. In hopes to provide a solution, the founders launched 321 Coffee to provide meaningful employment for this often-overlooked population.

For CEO Lindsay Wrege, the move was even more personal. Growing up, some of her first friends were individuals with IDD. Later, as she and other classmates began to prepare for colleges or careers, she came to the painful realization her friends with IDD did not have the same opportunities. 321 Coffee gives adults with IDD that same chance to experience the excitement of starting a new chapter.

Starting 321 Coffee as college students, the team made the most of the limited resources available to them. Their first event wasn’t the glamorous brick-and-mortar they dreamed of. They served Starbucks on folding tables they rented from the Student Union, but it was a start. And most importantly, it worked. This pop-up model allowed 321 Coffee to grow a steady presence in Raleigh. Serving coffee at various events, from corporate meetings to weddings, 321 Coffee solidified a strong community of support.

321 Coffee then took their folding tables and set up every Saturday under a tent at the NC State Farmers Market. They quickly outgrew the tent, moved inside the Market, and built their current shop. This setup has been able to grow with the business and serve as a space to test out new ideas. It’s allowed the team to perfect making lattes on the espresso machine and, most recently, master roasting their own coffee.

Today, 321 Coffee is open five days a week (Wednesday-Sunday) and employs over 20 adults with disabilities. They’ve recently begun partnering with local businesses and restaurants, such as Pendo and Village Deli, as a coffee supplier.

The founders credit their success to the community rallying behind the mission. “People are constantly offering whatever they can. Whether it be mentorship in financial modeling, sponsoring a coffee shipment to a remote team, or lending an artistic hand in painting a mural, people want to help. It’s beautiful to see the community come together in pursuit of inclusion,” says Wrege.

Wrege and Evans graduated from NC State this past Spring and are pursue 321 Coffee full-time. They have big plans for 2021 and are excited to work on growing the company, the partners, and the impact.

Today, you can visit 321 Coffee at their shop at the NC State Farmers Market and shop at their online store at www.321Coffee.com/shop.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, 321 COFFEE EXPANDS

In February of 2020, 321 Coffee was finalizing plans for opening their second location in Downtown Raleigh. Like many things, COVID turned that opportunity on its head.

In the beginning, 321 Coffee took a hit, both being in the restaurant industry and with many employees being immuno-compromised. The shop closed down for March and April, but with the help of the local community, all employees remained paid through the closure.

With the second-location growth plans on hold, the 321 Coffee team worked to find new ways to grow in the changing landscape. Recognizing a new opportunity with more people drinking coffee at home, 321 Coffee found a way to send 321 to their customers’ front doors. They wasted no time and quickly began learning the ropes of the coffee roasting world. From investing in roasting equipment to training roasting staff to testing the different blends and roasts, 321 Coffee officially became a coffee roaster.

This has been a great pivot for the company in a number of ways. It’s opened up new job opportunities, it’s created a different type of job, one that works with different skill sets, and it’s developed a new way for people and companies to interact with 321 Coffee.

THE DIVERSE SUPPLY CHAIN

321 Coffee has partnered with companies and is now supplying offices and restaurants with coffee. Companies are making conscious decisions to bring inclusion into the culture of their business, and the response has been powerful. One Pendo employee says he “loves to see [Pendo] supporting organizations like [321]. The mutual love and appreciation is amazing.”

“Supplier diversity is about making decisions with a purpose. When you buy from 321 Coffee, your purchase is making a difference. It creates jobs for people who may not otherwise have one,” says Wrege. Companies are proud to stand behind 321 Coffee because it’s an actionable way they can support inclusion.

321 Coffee can currently be found in Pendo, RevGen, RaleighFounded, PMC Commercial Interiors, and Village Deli, among other locations.

COFFEE BUT MAKE IT VIRTUAL

Like the rest of the world, the 321 Coffee team also went virtual. 321 is hosting virtual Zoom events where participants are shipped coffee and learn to make specialty coffee drinks from the best baristas in the business, all from their own kitchens.

A team from Cisco participated in the group, and one participant said, “This is the most I’ve laughed in months. I’m so glad our team did this.”

321 Coffee is proud to be keeping the community strong, despite not being physically together.

Interested in partnering with 321 Coffee? Reach out to them at [email protected].

As you know, we’re big fans of 321 Coffee. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re a coffee shop and roaster in Raleigh, NC, and we are focused on neurodiversity inclusion. We currently employ over 20 adults with disabilities, and they are the ones roasting the coffee and making the drinks — it’s a fun staff!

For 321 Coffee, success can be defined in many ways. From employing over 20 adults with disabilities to opening their first shop, the business has had many accomplishments. However, there is always one success that seems to be at the front of everyone’s minds.

“When I think of a 321 Coffee success story, I think of Sam,” says CFO Michael Evans.

In 2017, Sam was a barista at 321’s first-ever event. At the time, he was living in Rocky Mount, NC, about an hours drive from Raleigh.

Then, in 2018, 321 Coffee started serving coffee every Monday morning to the NC State Football team and staff. So every Monday morning, Sam and his mom would make the 2-hour round trip drive to and from Raleigh for Sam to volunteer at 321.

A year later, Sam moved to Raleigh to grow his involvement with 321 Coffee. Since then, he became one of the first paid employees of the company, started living on his own, and continued the Monday coffee-service with the football team.

Because of Sam’s regular presence with NC State Football, the team ended up hiring him to join their foodservice team.

“I am so proud of what Sam has accomplished and how 321 Coffee has been able to serve as a stepping stone for him, unfortunately this isn’t the reality for everyone,” says Evans.

80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed. Many of these individuals want to work, but they don’t always have the opportunity or resources.

321 Coffee is addressing this problem head-on. Today, the company employs over 20 adults with disabilities. It recognizes the unique strengths of each barista and values diversity. Furthermore, 321 provides individualized training and creates a supportive environment to promote professional development for its employees. It strives to serve as a stepping stone to further employment opportunities for its staff, just like Sam.

In addition to creating job opportunities internally for individuals with disabilities, 321 Coffee is working to challenge stereotypes. By showcasing the value of an inclusive culture, they are modeling inclusion for others to follow.

“Nothing about our external shop screams disability inclusion, so a lot of people come in just because they see the word coffee,” says Evans.

Customers come for coffee and leave with a transformative experience. At any given moment in 321, customers may be chatting with someone with Down syndrome at the cash register or watching someone with autism steam the milk for their latte. It’s an upbeat environment that truly fosters living in the moment and seeing people for who they are.

People with disabilities are a significant and important part of our local community, and it’s time they start being included in the workplace.

321 Coffee now has a waitlist of up to 50 people hoping to join the team. They are currently seeking new corporate partnerships to grow the business and employ more people.

Freshly roasted coffee beans are available via in-store purchase and online with an option for their subscription offering.

What does success mean to you?
For us, success looks like inclusion. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment within our own company, both throughout our workforce and within our shop.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.321coffee.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/drink321coffee
• Facebook: Facebook.com/drink321coffee
• Twitter: twitter.com/drink321coffee
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqsZ90fmz-G-YHaguRCFAKg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/321-coffee-raleigh?osq=321+coffee

Image Credits
Mick Schulte, Mallory Bryan