Hugs Café Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, officially opened its new headquarters in McKinney on July 2. The $10 million facility is located at 221 Andrews St. in downtown McKinney and encompasses a two-story, 13,500-square-foot space that includes a café, hospitality training academy, and administrative offices.
The new headquarters features a training kitchen, four classrooms, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor patio. This expansion allows Hugs Café to significantly increase its capacity for training, doubling the number of participants in each class from six to twelve. Founder and CEO Ruth Thompson noted that the organization can now accommodate up to 32 individuals during each 12-week semester.
To support the development of this facility, the McKinney Community Development Corporation contributed $970,000 for infrastructure improvements. The project was managed by developer KDC, with architectural design by Corgan and construction by Brasfield & Gorrie. Construction for the new headquarters began in May.
The opening of this facility marks a significant investment in the North Texas area, enhancing the resources available for adults with disabilities seeking careers in the hospitality sector.
