A Southside United Methodist Church group intends to create and open a coffee shop next door in the San Marco area to hire young adults with intellectual and developmental differences.
Happy Brew Coffee Shop, whose tagline is “we brew possabilities,” is under renovation at 3200 Hendricks Ave., north of Metro Diner.
The property is owned by the adjacent Southside United Methodist Church at 3120 Hendricks Ave.
The church bought the retail structure, built in 1956, for $375,000 in 2020.
Amy Franks, church director of student ministries, is the executive director of Happy Brew.
“Happy Brew Coffee Shop is a visionary not-for-profit coffee shop, planned for the local Jacksonville community, that will employ young adults with intellectual and developmental differences while serving a unique blend of coffee in a welcoming and friendly environment,” Franks said.
The city issued a permit Dec. 30 for JW Building Construction LLC to renovate the 3,760-square-foot space at a cost of $680,000.
Franks applied to the city for a certificate of use for Happy Brew Inc. The application says it seats 70 people.
Plans show interior seating throughout the building along with patio seating and picnic tables in the back.
Franks said the idea has been in the works for more than a year.
“The founders of Happy Brew say there are few employment opportunities for the special needs community after they graduate school,” she said.
“Happy Brew is planned to be a safe haven offering a vocational program and training so that each participant can learn, grow and work in the way that best meets his or her needs.”
Franks said an opening date has not been set. She said Happy Brew will lease the building from the church.
Happy Brew is set to be an extension of the long-standing “friends group” at Southside United Methodist Church.
Franks said the SUMC Friends group “exists to transform lives by creating spaces where individuals with intellectual and developmental differences, their families, and volunteers can belong, contribute and celebrate their God-given gifts”
Happy Brew details will be posted on social media and emailed to Happy Brew subscribers.
Franks said information about the capital campaign is at happybrew.org. Her email is [email protected].
The site describes the shop’s mission as providing employment, job training and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences in a community café where hope is shared.
Its vision is “to create an atmosphere of acceptance and joy where abilities and friendships grow one cup of coffee and conversation at a time.”
Franks’ bio on the church site at sumcjax.org says she and her husband have three children and have been a part of the Southside community for more than 15 years.
