If you haven’t heard about the wonderful mission of Not Your Average Joe, the nonprofit coffee shop with six locations in Oklahoma, then you’ll get your chance on Wednesday when it celebrates a big anniversary.
NYAJ for short, the coffee shop is celebrating five years of being accept-ional, as its tagline states, with a party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at its Midtown location, 1227 N Walker Ave, Suite 300.
In its five years, the coffee shop has grown from one store in Midtown to six shops that employ more than 150 students and adults, many with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, a news release noted. Current locations include three in Oklahoma City and others in Norman, Choctaw and Broken Arrow, with two locations underway in Edmond and Moore.
Wednesday’s party will feature Tim Herbel, executive director and founder speaking at 11 a.m., along with Danielle Robinson, NYAJ’s first-ever hire with special needs and Samantha Galloway, CEO of Strategic Abilities Consulting. The day also includes $5 drinks all day, including lattes, smoothies, frappes and refreshers; a $5 sundae bar; and a portable espresso bar and affogato station. Partygoers can also purchase a $10 box lunch special with a turkey club, chips and salsa or a personal charcuterie box; a commemorative Simple Modern trek tumbler; and a discount on bagged coffee.
In addition, Not Your Average Joe coffee roaster Andi Parnacher is working on a limited edition, five-year blend to celebrate the anniversary milestone. She is a Specialty Coffee Association-certified roaster and the organization’s first female Native American-certified roaster in the world, a news release stated.
The coffee shop produces 450 pounds of coffee weekly and distributes to its stores and beyond, the release stated. Oklahoma City Mayor and the city’s Committee of Disability Concerns honored NYAJ as the Employer of the Year in 2022.
