The first round of coffee and pastries was served and a teacher received $1,000 as Lawrence community members celebrated the opening of Empowering Brew, a student-centered coffee shop at Community Connections at Pinckney.
Multiple district programs are now housed at the former elementary school, including Community Transition, or C-Tran, which provides independent living and workplace skill building for young adults ages 18 to 21 with disabilities.
The district launched the grant-funded Pinckney Bakery in August 2025, and students began working there in the spring. Staff were brainstorming how to launch a coffee shop there at that time, though they thought it was likely that it would take a couple of years to implement.
But the coffee shop opened much sooner than planned, thanks in part to financial support from the College Football Playoff Foundation, Big 12 Conference, School Specialty and the Lawrence Schools Foundation.
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Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Jeanice Swift thanked those partners for bringing the coffee shop vision to life.
Community Connections Principal Jenna Viscomi said education is about preparing students for meaningful and fulfilling lives, and she was excited to see how the coffee shop could help further that mission.
“Our students don’t just need opportunities to be included in the community; they deserve opportunities to contribute to it,” Viscomi said.
Before cutting the ribbon and serving the event’s featured drink, a rock chalk marshmallow mocha, a Community Connections teacher was surprised with $1,000.
Gary Denham thought he was being called to the front for a game of trivia. Instead, he was recognized for his support of students.
He thanked Viscomi for helping him become better at his job and providing support for teachers across the school.
“It’s pretty awesome to me,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to do anything else. It’s a truly rewarding job. It’s so important.”
Bonnie Lowe, president of the chamber of commerce, presented Empowering Brew with a lifetime membership to the chamber at no cost.
“We hope to see you at some of the events,” she said. “Talk about yourself. We will be doing the same, and we look forward to promoting you in the business community.”
The shop will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Viscomi said they hope to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those days starting Friday, Oct. 23.
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Cuyler Dunn (he/him), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2022. He can be reached at [email protected].
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