Grounds of Grace, a coffee bus that helps children learn work experience, is developing a coffee shop in Arlington with the same goal.
Grounds of Grace, part of the nonprofit Sponsored by GRACE, announced the plans Jan. 28.
The Grounds of Grace Coffee Shop is planned to open in the spring at 1601 University Blvd. N. It also will include the Sponsored by GRACE headquarters and the DnP Cupcakery bakery.
“We will have three units at this location. The first and largest space will be for Grounds of Grace brick and mortar. The next will house our Sponsored by Grace office,” said Ronald Armstrong, founder and executive director of Grounds of Grace, in a news release.
“The final space will go to a mom and daughter operated bakery we are partnering with that will also work with kids in our community and our Teen Center. Here, they will have the opportunity to learn the bakery trade,” Armstrong said.
DnP Cupcakery was founded by Denise Clark and her daughter, Staniqua. They now offer a mobile bakery service.
Cheryl Wilder, founding director of The Carpenter’s Shop Center at the same address, said the coffee shop will open in a location next to it.
The Carpenter’s Shop also works with students and teens on workforce development.
“We are in a collaborative partnership with Grounds of Grace and Sponsored by Grace. In the future, they want to employ some of our teens in their coffee house,” Wilder said in an email.
She said the groups use The Carpenter’s shop’s warehouse space for some of their events.
“The Carpenter’s Shop Center is here to stay in the Arlington area at 1601 University Blvd. and will enjoy collaborating with this new organization,” she said.
Sponsored by GRACE and Grounds of Grace said neighbor donations and 12 contractors giving their time are helping with the project.
The Grounds of Grace Coffee Bus launched in December 2020.
The nonprofit said the goal of the bus is to help children living in low-income or high-crime areas gain work experience and engage with their community.
