Coffee shop reopens with event to celebrate employees with disabilities

On Thursday, the Lava Mountain Coffee Company in Lake Orion is welcoming back indoor diners and a workforce comprised of employees with developmental disabilities.

Owner Ziad Kassab opened the shop during the pandemic and partnered with the nonprofit Dutton Farm to train and hire six staff members. He never got the chance to host a grand opening or officially recognize the baristas before having to lay them off as a result of the indoor dining ban.

So, now, he is hosting a Welcome Back Party for the employees from 10 a.m. to noon today at the coffee shop, 1472 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, and will be announcing a pay raise in appreciation of their service.

“I really wanted to do something special to officially recognize these talented individuals. … It’s important to create jobs, training and a path for people with disabilities, but it is equally important for people to come into our coffee shop and see what’s possible and recognize these individuals as valued contributors to our community,” said Kassab.

“Having to lay off nearly everyone during the shutdown was heartbreaking, so we’ve planned some special surprises to thank and recognize our talented baristas on Thursday.”

Kassab, who is also the founder and chairman of Danny’s Miracle Angel Network Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those with disabilities through music therapy, will be surprising the employees with an original music video featuring each of them in their starring roles at Lava Mountain Coffee. The original song for the video was written and performed by Allan Floyd, a musician with physical disabilities.

Lava Mountain will also host an interactive music competition at the Coffee Shop event on Thursday. The competition, called #musicflows, will give local musicians a chance to submit a video on Lava Mountain Coffee’s Facebook page (@lavamountaincoffee). The coffee shop will choose 14 contestants in March, and each week customers will have the chance to vote online for their favorite artist. The winner of the #musicflows contest will get to record their own original song in Danny’s Miracle Angel Network Foundation’s music studio.

For more information about Lava Mountain Coffee Company, visit https:// lavamountaincoffee.com.