timeline
2007 Mar
Took over existing coffee shop in the Village of Five Parks. Hired three people with developmental disabilities.
2007 Oct
October – Moved to a larger ‘corner’ space. Added longer hours, additional menu items and were able to hire 12 people with developmental disabilities.
2009
Added a wine bar to our existing coffeeshop and expanded our hours and menu.
2010 Apr 1
Moved to larger anchor spot in the Village of Five Parks. Opened “Jack’s Bar and Grill” and moved “Steamers” into the same space. Had a full kitchen and expanded our menu and our bar. Employed 35 people with developmental disabilities.
2011
Started “A Different Kind fo Jam”. Found jam was the perfect vehicle to help teach works skills to people of all abilities.
2012
Expanded into the space above us by building a stair case. Doubled our capacity, hired 45 people with developmental disabilities.
2014
Opened the Prep Kitchen across the street from the restaurant. Started making all of our own food and hired additional people with developmental disabilities. During this time we were able to employ up to 80 people with developmental disabilities.
2015
“The Chew” – a daytime talk show about food aired on ABC – and A Different Kind of Jam and Jack’s Bar and Grill were highlighted.
2018
Due to changes in how people with developmental disabilities are employed, we adapted part of our employment program in the prep kitchen and moved away from sub minimum wage for workers. Dreams for a deli in the prep kitchen space started.
2020 March
Covid-19 hit, and we were forced to close our doors and most of our workers with developmental disabilities were staying home. May – The restaurant was able to open to dine in again. Brought back many of our workers with disabilities and our restaurant felt whole again.
2021
Deli is currently being built….