WHEN YOU pull into the parking lot of the CraveABLEs ice cream shop on Route 221 in Lynchburg, you’ll instantly notice two things. First, your eyes will be drawn to the ocean-like baby blue paint adoring the entire building. Secondly, you’ll notice that four letters in the shop’s name are capitalized. The story behind both speaks to the adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Taylor Perkins is the founder and president of CraveABLEs Lynchburg, a nonprofit ice cream shop that opened in June and provides supported employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Perkins worked as a high school adaptive special education teacher for seven years, teaching her students the skills they needed to gain and better their independence. Her students followed an adaptive curriculum and could stay enrolled until age 22. Perkins found that when her students were about to age out of school programs, few companies would hire them due to the support they needed.
Perkins heard from many parents about the fears and frustrations they and their children faced in finding employment for someone with disabilities. Some parents were afraid to drop their kids off at a job at a grocery store, for example, because they weren’t sure how their child or fellow employees might handle a difficult or unfamiliar situation that could come up in a workplace. Perkins wanted to open a business that could change the stigma many people think of when they meet someone who is intellectually disabled.
“I wished there was a place nearby where my students could work and interact with the community,” she pointed out, “not be stuck in a back room packing boxes.”
In the spring of last year, Perkins and her board formed the nonprofit CraveABLEs and opened an ice cream trailer in April of this year. When their current building came up for sale, Perkins and her team jumped at the chance to set up a permanent location.
The lettering in the shop’s name has an easy explanation. Perkins said that her employees have only one disability but so many other abilities — thus, the “ABLE” in CraveABLEs. The ABLE staff are learning skills, building their confidence, and expanding their resumes. Some will likely continue working at the shop, while others hope to one day move on to another job. There are 14 ABLE staff working at CraveABLEs alongside 11 other support staff who help the ABLE workers learn and carry out their jobs. Many of the support staff are special education teachers like Perkins, along with other paraprofessionals and high school and college students who want to go into the field of education or disability.
CraveABLEs sells Homestead Creamery ice cream flavors along with some of its own branded flavors made by a local manufacturer. CraveABLEs also has in-store and online merchandise for sale, allowing employees to learn more skills such as making customized bracelets and keychains and fulfilling orders.
Perkins, who currently volunteers 100% of her time and energy to CraveABLEs, said the shop and trailer are making a noticeable difference in her ABLE staff.
“Our employees love it so much they ask to work on their birthday,” Perkins said.
She also holds over 40 applications in hand from others with disabilities who want to work there.
It shows “we’re meeting a need, but it shows we need to do more” to bring in more customers and additional sponsors to help CraveABLEs grow, Perkins related. The shop is open year-round and will be adding some new items for the fall and winter months.
What about the baby blue that covers the shop inside and out? Perkins explained that she wanted the colors to reflect an Outer Banks beach theme. The customer tables are pastel pink. Perkins said the quieter colors not only express the “beachy” theme but create a more soothing work environment for ABLE employees.
The organization’s mission goes far beyond just serving up delicious ice cream. One of Perkins goals is that CraveABLEs customers will leave with “full bellies and fuller hearts.” She truly wants Lynchburg to see how valuable and capable her staff can be beyond the storefront.
If you want CraveABLEs ice cream at your next event, the trailer is available for booking online. Perkins noted that she is now seeking fiscal year two corporate sponsorships along with additional monthly support including the Cravefuls Club, offering members discounts and CraveABLEs merchandise along with helping the organization grow and continue providing jobs for those that may have never had one. GN
