Bitty and Beau’s prepares for ribbon cutting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A popular Port City coffee shop run by folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities is changing its name just in time for its re-opening.

Beau’s Coffee Shop announced earlier this month, it is moving to a larger location. According to the company’s Facebook page, the owners will be changing the name of the shop just in time for the re-opening on July 14 at 9am.

The shop is named after the owner’s son Beau. In a Facebook post, the company announced they would be re-opening the store on Beau’s birthday.

“Beau has only one request for his birthday — put his little sister’s name up in lights,” the post said. “Ladies & gentlemen, introducing Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.”

The owners said they have been bursting at the seams since they opened in January, with limited seating and long lines. But that’s about to change, thanks to a big donation.

The Rippy family has donated a space much larger than its current location on Wrightsville Avenue, according to a previous Facebook post. Beau’s will set up at their new shop inside the old Hummer building at 4949 New Centre Drive.