(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Daily Bean, located in the recently renovated St. Charles Public Library, is serving up more than just a cup of coffee.
The coffee shop is run by students in the St. Charles School District 303 Transition Program to help them work on vocational and functional life skills.
“The experience that they're getting and the excitement they exhibit when they come to the library, you know, it's unparalleled,” Edith Craig, the library’s executive director, said.
The library established a partnership with District 303 in 2019 when students ages 18 to 22 started running a coffee stand tucked away in the mezzanine.
During a 14-month renovation, the library made the Daily Bean a more permanent — and prominent — fixture on the main floor.
Craig tells WBBM Newsradio the library went above and beyond ADA requirements to make the workspace accessible to every transition program student.
It’s part of the library’s goal of creating an inclusive place, she said.
“That goes hand in hand with our mission of the library to improve the quality of life of our community.”
In addition to the space, the Daily Bean also upgraded its menu to offer hot or iced Papa Nicholas coffee.
All proceeds from the Daily Bean go back into the transition program.
The coffee shop is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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