GREENSBORO, N.C-- A little slice of France is heading to Downtown Greensboro.
Chez Genèse, a French Inspired Cafe, plans to open mid-September.
The name is French for the place of Genesis or the place of new beginnings.
It will serve items like crepes, quiche, freshly baked baguettes, and macarons.
But it's not just the style of food that sets the shop apart, it's also who works there.
Katheryn Hubert, the restaurants owner, says up to 50 percent of staff that's employed have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Hubert says her biggest inspiration behind the concept came from watching the challengers her three cousins who have autism face in the workplace.
"[So there's] really been kind of that push to provide an opportunity that is geared towards being accepting and promoting an environment where people regardless of their ability can thrive and succeed." Hubert said.
French food and culture is all about hospitality and a sense of community- two things Hubert really wants to share in Greensboro.
"We want this to be a place where community can gather and really promote the conversation and the connections that happen across the table," Hubert said.
Hubert wants to create a chain reaction of kindness in the community.
"So it's my hope to kind of pour into and serve and care for my staff so that they can do that to the guests who walked through our doors every day. And hopefully, our guests who feel and experience that service will be inspired to go back out into the community and do that for someone else." Hubert said.
The community is already rallying around the restaurant. Hubert says she raised almost $26,000 for the project though the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.
The shop will be open for breakfast and lunch. Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.