Hugs Café Inc. has officially opened its new headquarters in McKinney, Texas, with a significant investment of $10 million. The grand opening took place on July 2, and the new facility is designed to enhance the nonprofit's mission of providing job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
The two-story building spans 13,500 square feet and consolidates the nonprofit's café, hospitality training academy, and administrative offices into one location. Key features of the new facility include a training kitchen, four classrooms, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor patio, all aimed at creating a conducive learning environment.
Situated at 221 Andrews St. in downtown McKinney, the new headquarters allows Hugs Café to double its training capacity. Previously, the organization could accommodate six trainees per class; now it can serve 12. Founder and CEO Ruth Thompson indicated that this expansion enables the organization to train up to 32 individuals each semester over a 12-week course.
Funding for the project included a contribution of $970,000 from the McKinney Community Development Corporation, which supported infrastructure improvements. The construction, which began in May, was managed by the developer KDC, with architectural design by Corgan and contracting by Brasfield & Gorrie. This new facility represents a significant step forward in Hugs Café's commitment to empowering adults with disabilities in the hospitality sector.
