Gerry's Cafe Receives Disability Employment Award In Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Since opening in August, Gerry's Café has had a positive impact on the community and was recognized for such at Monday night's Arlington Heights Village Board meeting. The establishment, which features craft food and beverage prepared and served by employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is the recipient of the Village's 2023 Disability Employment Award.

According to Mayor Thomas Hayes, Gerry's received 27 nominations, the most nominations any award-winner has received in the history of the award. Hayes said the staff at Gerry's —which includes two managers, six crew members and 45 teammates — "embody the spirit of this award."

"Gerry's Café has already left a lasting impression on the Arlington Heights community," Hayes said while announcing the recognition.

With October being National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities presented the award for the 15th year. The annual award is given to an Arlington Heights employer who proactively recruits, hires and employs persons with disabilities.

"We are thrilled to be providing this award to Gerry's Café. In promoting the employment of people with disabilities, it is events like this that bring the issue to the forefront," said Sheryl Letwat as the Chairperson of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities.

Hayes presented the award to Natalie Griffin, co-founder and board president at Gerry's Café, and Amy Philpott, co-founder and board vice president.

According to Griffin, Gerry's provides competitive employment for "exceptional individuals" with intellectual disabilities, who are 22 years old and up. The employees go through a six-week job training program and are paid competitive wages.

"Amy and I saw a void in our community for opportunities for adults with disabilities to be hired. Businesses were just not hiring people with disabilities," Griffin said. "Amy and I wanted to make a change. We wanted to start a business that would say 'yes' to these individuals that had heard 'no' so many times throughout their life."

Gerry's Café, which held its grand opening on Aug. 26, is located at 1802 N. Arlington Heights Road. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Sundays. To learn more about Gerry's Café, visit here.