Cafe Overlook

Cafe Overlook is a social enterprise run by Service! with a goal to help support food service workers and entrepreneurs.

Impact Area: Employment & Job Training

B2B: Yes
B2C: Yes
Tax Deductible: Yes

The cafe doubles as an education and training program for service-industry workers, as well as an incubator kitchen space to support new culinary businesses. The cafe also serves as a workforce development program for participants, who will earn a living wage while mastering kitchen skills along with learning job readiness skills during an apprenticeship before being placed into stable, well-paying positions throughout the restaurant industry. Employees have access to wraparound services that include job coaching, mental health services, childcare, and transportation support.

The cafe space will eventually house an incubator kitchen, The Hub, part of an economic development effort developed with ECDI and dedicated to supporting small businesses owned by female, Black, Hispanic and/or Latinx individuals. The incubator program will help entrepreneurs overcome barriers, launch and grow a food business, and increase their chances for success.

Cafe Overlook is located on the 16th floor of the Franklin County Courthouse and serves breakfast and lunch service on weekdays to county employees and visitors of the courthouse.

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