It is with great disappointment and a heavy heart that we write to announce the permanent closure of Beaningful. While we were hopeful for our future, the shutdown required to battle COVID-19 has left us with no alternative. Like many other small businesses, an extended closure is just too costly.
We want to offer our heartfelt thank you to all our customers, donors, and partners who have supported us. You helped make Beaningful the special place it was.
Thank you to the developers of Osborn370 for giving us this opportunity. We appreciate your belief in our mission, and we are grateful for all that we have learned from this experience.
And although we close this chapter with sadness, we feel proud of what we were able to accomplish. From the start, Beaningful was more than just a coffee shop. It was a social enterprise from Neighborhood House created to benefit St. Paul families.
Beaningful employees also participate in adult education programs at Neighborhood House. Through their job at Beaningful, they worked to further their goals of economic stability, personal and professional growth, and a better future for themselves and their families.
And because of your support, they were able to accomplish that. Staff developed their English language skills and increased their confidence through interactions with customers and coworkers. They practiced job skills that are crucial in the workplace like customer service and interpersonal communication.
We can say with certainty that Beaningful was a success. For our employees—whether they hope to become a nurse or open their own restaurant—the experience they gained has given them the skills and confidence needed to continue working toward their goals.
Thank you again for your support of Beaningful. It would not have been possible without you. We will continue to help St. Paul families build economic and social well-being through our work at Neighborhood House—and we invite you to join us in this important mission.
