Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, which was created to be run by people with disabilities, wants to build-out in San Marco at the former Beach Diner restaurant at 1965 San Marco Blvd.
The city is reviewing a permit application for the estimated $280,000 project to build-out the 1,700-square-foot space.
Spouses Howard White and Lissie Hurst, the Jacksonville franchise owners, expect to invest about $500,000, which includes construction, equipment and the $40,000 franchise fee, into their plans to open the coffee shop.
The diner did not reopen after a November 2019 fire.
White is a developer and a homebuilder who founded North Florida Builders in 1977. His son now is owner and president.
Hurst, a mother to a teenage son who has autism, closed out her career as a special education teacher at Morning Star School in Arlington to focus full-time on Bitty & Beau’s. Morning Star is a K-12 school accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference for students with learning differences.
The couple hopes to open their shop in early September, pending permitting and construction completion. The menu includes hot and cold coffee products, tea, lemonade, smoothies and bagels, muffins and cinnamon rolls.
Bittyandbeauscoffee.com says the original shop opened in January 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and employed 19 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It says founders Amy and Ben Wright are the parents of four children — Lillie, Emma Grace, Beau and Bitty. Lillie was born with autism, and Bitty and Beau were born with Down syndrome.
The site says that more than 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed nationwide.
The Wrights believe that Bitty & Beau’s Coffee creates a path for people with disabilities to become more valued, accepted and included in every community.
“As advocates for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Wrights have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place for their children and others living with disabilities,” it says.
The website says the company, which franchises, shows 24 locations in 12 states and Washington, D.C. The only Florida location is Jacksonville.
It says Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has grown to more than 200 employees.
It says the cost of ownership of a Bitty & Beau’s Coffee shop ranges from $461,750 to $858,050, which includes the franchise fee.
Hurst has followed Bitty & Beau’s Coffee story since it started in 2016. When it began to franchise, she knew it was what she wanted to do.
They bought the franchise for Jacksonville in fall 2021 and began storing supplies in their garage as they looked for a site.
The Beach Diner space is owned by Jacksonville-based Burr Investments Inc., led by Jay Higbee of Foland & Higbee Inc.
Hurst registered the franchise name, More Than A Cup of Coffee LLC, with the state Aug. 18. It will lease the space from Higbee.
The San Marco Square, a historic retail and neighborhood area with residents within walking distance, is the environment they wanted.
The couple intends to hire 20-25 employees, of which about 60% will be those with intellectual and developmental differences, and the remaining 40% supervisors and managers.
“Bitty & Beau’s purpose is Alyssa’s passion,” said White, who often refers to her by her given name.
“I’d do anything to help her fulfill that passion. We didn’t even hesitate when this came about.”
