SACK Online
Below are examples of businesses that have either been started by people with developmental disabilities or actively employ people with developmental disabilities in a competitive community based setting. Please support and visit these stores.
Just click on the logos and you will be taken to the website for each business!
Anthony's Beehive
When Anthony was in third grade, he saw a video about honey bees at school. It was one of the coolest things he had ever seen, so he came home and announced to his parents that he wanted to get some bees to add to the family farm.............
After stalling for a year, his parents gave in and did the right thing. Today, Anthony has over 180 hives throughout Douglas County, Kansas with plans to add more. What makes Anthony and his business special is that Anthony was born with developmental disabilities. The other thing that makes it special is that it is truly a family affair. Anthony’s mom, dad, and siblings are almost as busy producing honey as are his bees.
If it weren't for Anthony's bees, his future career options would be severely limited. However, due to his hard work, passion, and family support, Anthony is now 21 and the owner of a growing business. He sells honey, honey straws, honey Bar “Bee” Q sauce, salad dressings, honey jerky, pollen, and more at local farmer's markets, through various retailers, and on the internet. Anthony has turned his love for these fascinating creatures into a chance to support himself with dignity, despite his disability. We could all take a lesson from Anthony, and from the bees that he watches intently as they harvest nectar from the flowers of Northeast Kansas
Poppin' Joe's Kettle Korn
We (Joe's family) first explored the concept of Poppin Joe's Kettle Korn in October 2000. P.J.K.K. was officially launched in April 2005 with Joe Steffy as the sole propietor.
P.J.K.K. was established to provide Joe, a young adult with DS-ASD, the opportunity to operate and manage his own business.
By doing so, Joe has developed an excellent work ethic and realizes the value of good hard work.
Supported by a loving family, Joe's business continues to grow each year. Poppin Joe's Kettle Korn can now be found poppin at Walmarts, fairs, craft shows, car shows and events throughout the area.
In addition, Poppin Joes is involved in raising funds for charitable organizations and is enjoyed at office and snack locations throughout the Greater Kansas City area.
Poppin Joes proudly supports our troops in Iraq by shipping numerous bags of kettle korn overseas for their enjoyment.
*Poppin' Joe's was featured in U.S News and World Report
The Beanery
We developed The Beanery Coffee Shoppe as a training ground for adults with developmental disabilities seeking employment in the food service market. Working alongside our barista staff, training is provided to “apprentices” and skills are learned which can be carried into other similar work environments.
We opened The Beanery Coffee Shoppe in Neodesha, Kansas in November of 2005. Sales were good, thus inspiring us to open a second The Beanery Coffee Shoppe in Fredonia, Kansas in February of 2006.
In keeping with the philosophy of quality care and enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities, it is the mission of the Beanery Coffee Shoppe to offer quality specialty coffee and excellent customer service to the community while enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities by offering opportunities for advanced job skills and greater opportunities for community involvement.
If you have a developmental disability and own your own business-or you have a business that employs people with developmental disabilities in a competitive community based enviroment- let us know and we will add your business to the SACK Mall free of charge!
Thank you for supporting these businesses!