Hugs Café Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, has officially opened its new headquarters in McKinney. The grand opening took place on July 2, showcasing a $10 million investment that aims to enhance the organization's capacity to prepare individuals for careers in the hospitality sector.
The new two-story facility spans 13,500 square feet and consolidates the nonprofit's café, hospitality training academy, and administrative offices into one location. Situated at 221 Andrews St. in downtown McKinney, the building is equipped with a training kitchen, four classrooms, a rooftop deck, and an outdoor patio.
With this expansion, Hugs Café has doubled its training capacity, allowing it to serve up to 12 participants per class, compared to the previous limit of six. Founder and CEO Ruth Thompson noted that the organization can now accommodate as many as 32 individuals during each 12-week training semester.
The project received support from the McKinney Community Development Corp., which contributed $970,000 for infrastructure improvements. KDC, a prominent developer, oversaw the construction, with architectural design by Corgan and contracting services provided by Brasfield & Gorrie. Construction began in May of the previous year.
