ATLANTA- A thoughtfully designed Buckhead cafe aims to make accessibility beautiful and foster an environment where people of all abilities feel welcomed and valued. Mend Coffee and Goods is much more than a typical coffee shop. It’s a gathering place with a bigger purpose. 

When co-founders Jay and Katherine Wolf set out to create Mend, they wanted to create a space where everyone would feel welcomed.   

In 2008, Katherine’s life changed forever when she suffered a life-altering massive brain stem stroke at just 26 years old. The months that followed were filled with re-learning how to live. Through everything, Kathrine’s husband Jay stayed by her side.  

The Wolfs took what could have been a debilitating tragedy and turned it into a purpose, first through their ministry Hope Heals, and then by opening Mend.  

Mend’s design is a beautiful blend of aesthetics and accessibility. The warm oak floors and bright, calming colors make an inviting and cozy atmosphere, and this is by no mistake.  

“If you can imagine being in those medical environments, which are sterile, and you are there year after year. It can feel, well, just not very beautiful. Katherine and Jay were very adamant about creating a space that welcomed all abilities and doing it with excellence, and saying everyone is worthy of beauty,” Mend’s Director of Disability Advocacy and Education, Sarah Gabriel said.  

Mend’s deep dedication to accessibility is also reflected in the design. Adjustable tables accommodate wheelchair users. Double handled mugs are available for guests with limited hand stability. The restrooms include adult changing tables. These amenities are so rarely found in public spaces, that their presence at Mend makes a loud statement on inclusivity.  

Mend’s mission isn’t solely limited to its intentional design, but also in its employment model. A central part of its identity lies within who works behind the counter. Half of Mend’s staff consists of people with disabilities, creating an inter-ability team, which isn’t always common to find.  

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 22.7% of adults with disabilities were employed in 2024, compared to 66.5% of adults without disabilities. And according to research by The Special Olympics, 28% of adults with intellectual disabilities have never held a job.  

“It is an underemployed and highly underestimated group. Not only that, but the disability community is the largest minority and the only minority group that anyone can enter at any time, like Katherine,” Gabriel said.  

Mend’s purposeful staffing aims to prove skeptics wrong and show that people with disabilities are not only capable, but deserving of meaningful employment and fair wages.  

For Katherine and Jay, Mend is more than just a business. It is a testament to how personal tragedy can be reshaped into inspiration for an entire community. 

Guests can visit Mend Coffee and Goods Monday through Saturday from 7am to 4pm.