Charleston, South Carolina — We’ve been greeted with a huge helping of Southern hospitality, especially at a coffee shop where you’ll find a lot of sweetness — and not just on the menu.

At Bitty and Beau’s Coffee Shop, cotton candy frappes are the house specialty and very popular.

But they’re not the only thing that makes this place truly special. It’s the people who work here, like Trista Kutcher, who showed CBS News how to craft a beverage.

By: Norah O’Donnell

Charleston, South Carolina — We’ve been greeted with a huge helping of Southern hospitality, especially at a coffee shop where you’ll find a lot of sweetness — and not just on the menu.

At Bitty and Beau’s Coffee Shop, cotton candy frappes are the house specialty and very popular.

But they’re not the only thing that makes this place truly special. It’s the people who work here, like Trista Kutcher, who showed CBS News how to craft a beverage.

By: Norah O’Donnell

New concept coffee shop, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, just had its grand opening Thursday.

We previously reported on the coffee shop’s expected opening back in January where we spoke with Trista Kutcher, one of Bitty & Beau’s employees, who was excited about it being her first coffee shop.

Kutcher isn’t a typical coffee shop worker as she has Down syndrome.

The coffee shop founder, Amy Wright started the new concept coffee shop because she’s an advocate for the value, inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as she herself has two children with Down syndrome according to the Bitty & Beau’s website.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) – We’ve told you about some people making masks to help healthcare workers in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Others are using their talents to make them more comfortable.

Trista Kutcher is sewing headbands with buttons on the side to help nurses and doctors in the Charleston area.

“I don’t want nurses to hurt their ears,” Kutcher said “It’s very easy to put on their heads and put a mask over top.” The elastic on masks can rub on healthcare workers’ ears because of how often they are worn.

You may recognize Kutcher’s name from her popular Instagram page or her previous work at Bitty and Beau’s downtown. She has Down syndrome and is an advocate for people of all abilities.

Written By: Abbey O’Brien

In this episode, Adam talks with “Trista the Barista” (and her mom, Rebecca Kutcher) on all things Instagram and influence. “If you give Trista a goal, she will accomplish it,” says Rebecca. And whether it’s starting a business or qualifying for the World Special Olympics in Ireland, there doesn’t seem to be much Trista can’t do. This is one inspiring interview if we’ve ever heard one! Check out Trista on Instagram: @tristathebarista and @tristasunshinecompany

Erin and Trista “the Barista” Kutcher talk about business ownership and influencing in a social media age. If you’ve ever wondered what life is like for an adult living with Down syndrome, there’s no better source than Trista. She’s an inspiration and an incredibly insightful woman. Enjoy our interview with Trista the Barista!

On this week’s episode of the Bakers Bantering Podcast we have on our friends Trista and Rebecca Kutcher! Trista is the founder of Trista’s Sunshine Company, a Special Olympics 2 x gold medal champion, previous cheerleader and barista, and independent woman living with Down Syndrome.

This is one of our most exciting episodes yet! We talk about:
– Trista’s company and how she got started
– Living independently with Down Syndrome
– Jenna’s wild sewing story
– Rebecca’s experience as a mother to Trista
– And so much more!

By: Bankers Bantering

It seems like there is a coffee shop on every corner these days, but Bitty & Beau’s Coffee – true to its slogan – is more than a cup of coffee. Serving up good brews with a side of positivity, the coffee shop is run by employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Founder Amy Wright opened the Charleston location – the second shop in what she envisions to be several around the country – last year, and her endeavor has earned her national press and even the 2017 CNN Hero of the Year award. Her youngest children, Bitty and Beau, have Down syndrome, and, in her speech accepting the award, she said to them, “I would not change you for the world, but I will change the world for you.” And she is – one cup of coffee at a time.

More than 80 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States are unemployed. Doing what they can to change the world, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee now employs more than 80 people at its three locations, and, for many, it is the first job they’ve ever had. The hashtag #notbroken, used in their marketing, is a reminder that regardless of disabilities, people can and should be valued, accepted and included.

The coffee shop provides a place to put those ideas into motion, connecting and celebrating both diversity and community.

For Mount Pleasant resident Trista Kutcher, no moment, not even winning gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Ireland, is as exciting as dancing in front of cameras at a television taping in New York City.

By Gregory Yee gyee@postandcourier.com