When was the last time you walked into a restaurant or store and it felt like you were being enveloped in a big warm hug? This is 100% the vibe at Two & Company and one of the reasons it was so fun for the EA staff to spend a morning here recently. This fairly new Chagrin Falls gathering space is the brainchild of a non-profit dedicated to providing job training, pairing those with disabilities alongside able bodied trainers, using the cafe, store and about to open bed & breakfast as their training ground.
Shari Hunter begins the origin story of how her non-profit began with “It’s all my son’s fault” and then points out Derek, hard at work behind the lunch counter helping customers with a big smile on his face.
Believing that all, regardless of their ability, can be fully integrated into society from the start, Shari, a trained educator, has a Mama Bear like focus, using her personal experiences raising a child with Downs to help others, who have children with disabilities find the right life path after they age out of the system.
Two & Company’s mission is to help create a world where people of all abilities are given opportunities to connect, work, grow and thrive…. and it looks like she’s just getting started.
Two & Company partners with Cleveland area school systems to provide high school juniors and seniors job training, development and placement, There are adult programs as well. Their job matching program, connecting trained workers with jobs in the real world has an astonishing 97% success rate.
And since every year EA works with relocating families who have children with special needs, it is so helpful for us to know about every resource available to them.
But even if you walked into the cafe and knew nothing about the non-profit mission at work here, it’s a charming spot to dine and shop on East Washington Street. And the secret is obviously out, as when our team arrives at 10 am, not really breakfast or lunch time, the place was packed. It has obviously it has become a beloved spot in this town.
For Cleveland history buffs, walking thru the space if like a trip down memory lane. The 1915 building a cool renovation with the original wood ceiling and steel I-beams on display. And the interior design includes the beautiful silver Art Deco chairs and tables we sat at as kids from HIgbee’s Silver Grille as well as brass ornamental doors from the Terminal Tower. Cleveland Art in Auburn, owned by Jason & Debbie Wein, not only helped to furnish this space with these architectural and furniture salvaged items, but their industrial repurposed furniture and original hand blow glass chandeliers are present as well.
Two & Company augments their earned income thru fundraising, using lots of volunteers and throwing an annual gala that is already sold out for this fall… now that is a town that supports good works.
The shop features vendors who are socially conscience and doing their part to make the world a better place (buy a blanket, they donate one to the homeless, etc.). Makes you feel good about shopping.
The restaurant and retail shop is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday thru Saturday.
Executive Arrangements understands that every candidate is unique and once we know their story we create a customized lifestyle orientation day to vividly show them how their family and passions can thrive in our town. As a result almost 80% of the Pre-Decision recruits we work with say yes to the job offer/relocation after just a day or two exploring the city with EA’s Guides. If you think this kind of high touch candidate experience could help your organization attract and retain top talent, call us at 216.23.1931.