Abigail Krevsky
When Demi Keller isn’t tracking what’s going on in the NFL or dreaming of starting her own business, she works as a barista at Nour, one of her two part-time jobs.
According to a sign above the front door, Nour is a cafe “where everyone’s light shines brighter.” It’s a place that celebrates diversity and creates space for all. That’s in addition to its high-quality bakery treats, healthy lunches and a full range of coffee and tea beverages that keep people coming back.
“I was shocked Kait wanted to do this,” said Keller, referring to the cafe’s owner and founder, Kait Gillis-Hanna.
However, as Gillis-Hanna said during a speech at the cafe’s grand opening event in late March, “There are people of all abilities who are ready, willing and able to work with us.”
Aaliyah and Nour
Gillis-Hanna named the cafe after her daughter, Nour, who has Down’s syndrome. With other models of disability-focused cafés across the country, Gillis-Hanna got to work—but made the Camp Hill-based café all her own. With the closest independent coffee shop located a couple of miles away, Nour also fills a gap in the community.
What makes Nour different? It’s not just the focus on disability empowerment, but the integrated workforce that, to Gillis-Hanna, is “a more realistic example of what life is.”
Then there are the products that come straight from the community, including baked goods from Mysig and coffee from Colina Coffee, the latter of which puts 10% of profits into its mission to help beautify Allison Hill. Gillis-Hanna also works as executive director for Brethren Housing Association in Allison Hill, so that area is close to her heart.
“I never wanted Nour to be kitschy. I don’t want people to come and be like, ‘I’m here to see the people with disabilities,’” Gillis-Hanna said. “I wanted it to be a place where people think—‘they have the best food and coffee in the area, and they’re also benefiting our world in this way.’”
Reading the Room
According to customer Garek Strouse, that’s exactly what Nour is.
While Strouse admits that the concept of Nour is something he’s never seen before, he believes that it’s pretty cool to have in the community. Strouse’s son, Rowen, befriended Nour herself during the bustling grand opening, which was a repeat visit for the father-son duo.
Beyond food and drinks, Gillis-Hanna is working on enhancing the community-building aspect of Nour. This is a big part of the mission because a lot of people with disabilities have trouble connecting with others once high school ends.
“The opportunities to engage with friends really start to dwindle,” she said.
Her hope is to incorporate bingo nights, movie nights, cooking classes and other activities with the intent of creating a fun, after-hours space for people of all abilities to interact and participate. While Nour is a for-profit organization, these activities will be part of a nonprofit corner of the company.
While these activities gain momentum, Nour employees are already making the fun happen. You may find karaoke going on in the café, with the staff singing when the customers are not on work calls or in remote meetings.
“They’re reading the room and getting out there and singing, which is super fun because they’re all really passionate about it,” Gillis-Hanna said.
Even those who aren’t into coffee won’t be left out. Nour is introducing another product line, a plant-based energy drink called Lotus, perfect for those who want an energizing alternative.
Perhaps the most noteworthy part of Nour’s journey so far is, as Gillis-Hanna put it, “the overwhelming quantity of applicants that we have received in a time when most employers are having challenges hiring.”
For her, this says something about the power of inclusion.
“People want to be in a space that is loving and accepting and empowering,” she said, and that includes competitive pay, a focus on mental and physical health, flexibility and managerial support.
Ultimately, while the café’s sleek design and varied menu are foundational, it’s Gillis-Hanna, her family and her employees who make Nour what it is.
“I don’t think I make a day with a dry eye of seeing the different families come in and talk about the impact that even just having this in the community is having on them,” she said.
Nour is located at 101 St. Johns Church Rd., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.nourcoffee.com.
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