More than $1 million in wages paid to workers with disabilities. That’s an extraordinary milestone for a neighborhood coffee shop, especially one that began with a family’s hope for their son’s future.
His parents wanted him to have meaningful work, supportive coworkers, and a place where he could belong. Rather than waiting for someone else to create that opportunity, they helped build it themselves.
Today, the Pennsylvania cafe combines everyday coffee shop comforts with a mission that extends beyond the counter. Visitors can order breakfast, enjoy a latte, or settle in with a board game, while employees gain valuable workplace experience and earn wages.
I find the most compelling part of this story is how an idea meant to help one person grew into opportunities for many others. Every order contributes to a business where employment and community connection are central to what happens each day.
A Family Dream Turned Into a Paycheck That Matters
Parents usually pack lunches and sign permission slips. These parents built an entire cafe so their son could have a meaningful job.
GET Café in Narberth, Pennsylvania, grew out of that goal. GET stands for Great Expectations Together, and the coffee shop is operated by GET Included, a nonprofit founded by the Goodspeed family to expand employment and social opportunities for people with disabilities.
The idea is direct and practical. Adults with disabilities often struggle to find steady work, even when they are ready and willing.
A cafe gives them a place to learn, earn, and be part of daily life in town.
That’s where the headline number comes in. The cafe has paid more than $1 million in wages to workers with disabilities.
Those dollars go into real paychecks for real people.
Think about what a paycheck means. It brings independence, pride, and a reason to set an alarm in the morning.
It also means coworkers who know your name.
I love that the story started at a kitchen table and turned into something a whole community can share.
The cafe’s impact also earned major recognition in December 2025, when CBS Philadelphia named GET Café the winner of its Hometown Heartbeat Award. The honor came with $50,000 and an additional $25,000 in advertising support, recognizing the business for creating meaningful opportunities in its community.
So when you order a latte here, you’re doing more than grabbing caffeine. You’re backing a model that other towns could copy.
Not bad for a cup of coffee.
Your Barista Might Also Be Training for Their Next Big Step
Behind the counter, the work is real and the stakes are too. Staff members with disabilities take orders, make drinks, and serve food.
GET Café works as a training ground as well as a business. Employees build skills that carry beyond the cafe, like customer service, teamwork, and time management.
Those are the same skills any first job teaches.
The difference here is patience. The cafe was designed so workers can learn at a steady pace without feeling rushed.
That approach makes the space feel calm for everyone.
Visitors can enjoy the same welcoming cafe experience they would expect anywhere else, while supporting a workplace built around inclusion and opportunity. The staff takes pride in serving customers and building lasting connections with the community.
I can’t imagine a better place to learn how to work a register. Mistakes are treated as part of training, not a disaster.
That attitude could help a lot of workplaces.
Friendly service comes up again and again when folks talk about this spot. It isn’t a script either.
It comes from people who are proud of what they do.
So say hello, say thanks, and maybe learn a name or two. A little kindness at the counter goes a long way here.
It’s the easiest tip you’ll ever leave.
Good Luck Ignoring the Bagels and Avocado Toast
Bagels, avocado toast, and muffins. That’s a breakfast lineup that rarely goes wrong.
The menu at GET Café sticks to cafe comfort food done right. Bagel sandwiches are a big draw, including an everything bagel with lox.
Avocado toast shows up on plenty of tables too.
Muffins and coffee cake fill out the pastry side. Muffins here have a reputation for being big without being overly sweet.
That’s a smart pick if you want something to nibble with your coffee.
Hungrier? Breakfast sandwiches and omelettes served with fruit make a fuller meal.
It’s an easy spot for brunch with a friend or a slow solo morning.
Gluten-free options are available as well. That’s a nice relief if you’re used to staring sadly at a pastry case.
Ask at the counter about what’s available that day.
My advice is simple. Pair something savory with something sweet, then share if you’re feeling generous.
A bagel sandwich plus a muffin covers both bases nicely.
The food is straightforward and satisfying, without fancy fuss. It fits the mood of the place perfectly.
You come for the mission, and the bagels make sure you come back.
Espresso Smooth Enough to Win Over a Coffee Snob
One newcomer from Italy spent weeks searching for coffee that tasted like home. She found it at this little Narberth cafe.
That’s high praise, and it says plenty about the espresso. Shots here come with nice crema and a smooth finish.
Coffee fans don’t need to lower their standards to support a good cause.
The drink menu covers the classics. Vanilla lattes, iced coffee, and plain black coffee are all easy wins.
Milk options include oat and soy for anyone skipping dairy.
Not a coffee person? The cafe also makes juices and smoothies with playful names.
One is called GET Hydrated, which is honestly great branding.
A banana-tahini smoothie has also appeared on the menu. It’s a fun choice if you want something filling and a little different.
Fresh juices offer another refreshing option for visitors who prefer something other than coffee.
Here’s my tip for first-timers. Start with a latte in your favorite milk and see how the espresso shines through.
Then come back and work your way down the list.
Good coffee keeps people coming back, mission or not. That matters for a business built to pay its workers.
Every repeat latte helps keep those paychecks flowing.
A Sensory Room Shows How Much Thought Went Into This Place
Most coffee shops plan for outlets and Wi-Fi. This one planned for nervous systems too.
GET Café includes a sensory room, a calm space for anyone who needs a break from noise and bustle. Busy cafes can overwhelm some people quickly.
A quiet room makes the difference between leaving early and staying put.
That detail matters for neurodivergent visitors, kids, and honestly a few overstimulated adults too. It tells guests they’re expected and welcome.
You don’t have to explain yourself to use it.
The music matters as well. The cafe keeps volume at a level where conversation still works.
Sometimes a staff member even handles the playlist, and does a pretty good job.
I believe thoughtful design like this should be everywhere. Ramps changed buildings for wheelchairs.
Sensory spaces could do the same for people who process the world differently.
Families with autistic children often skip outings because of the stress. A place like this removes some of that worry.
Parents can sip coffee while their kids reset in peace.
If you need the room, just ask the staff. If you don’t, appreciate that it exists.
Either way, it’s a small feature with a huge message.
Board Games, Live Music, and a Calendar Worth Checking
Grab a coffee, then grab a board game. GET Café keeps games available for guests to borrow.
That turns a quick visit into an easy hangout. Friends can play a round over lattes.
Families can skip screens for an hour without anyone complaining much.
The fun goes past the game shelf. The cafe hosts live music and community events throughout the year.
It also runs social and educational events for people with disabilities.
Those programs connect back to GET Included, the nonprofit behind the cafe. The goal is building friendships and skills, not just selling drinks.
The cafe becomes a gathering place for the whole community.
Look around the walls and you’ll spot community flyers too. Local happenings get shared here like a town bulletin board.
It’s a nice way to learn what’s going on nearby.
My tip is to follow the cafe’s social channels for upcoming events. Music nights and special gatherings can fill your calendar quickly.
Some might become your new favorite tradition.
I like that this place gives people reasons to linger. A coffee shop with games and events feels like a neighborhood living room.
That’s exactly what many towns are missing.
Plan Your Stop Around These Hours on Haverford Avenue
Early birds are in luck. The doors open at 8 a.m. every day of the week.
You’ll find GET Café at 246 Haverford Ave, 1st floor, Narberth, PA 19072. Narberth is a small, walkable borough on Philadelphia’s Main Line.
It’s an easy hop from the city.
Weekday hours run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the cafe closes earlier, at 2 p.m.
Weekend brunch fans should plan accordingly.
Inside, there’s plenty of seating for reading or laptop work. Outside, a few sidewalk tables let you enjoy nice weather.
Pick your spot based on your mood.
Rainy mornings can get busy, with groups chatting and remote workers settling at tables. A little patience might be needed for a seat.
Good news, the vibe stays friendly.
Here’s a smart plan for out-of-towners. Pair your coffee with a stroll around Narberth’s little downtown.
Errands feel nicer with a latte in hand.
One visitor stopped by while waiting on a dog grooming appointment nearby. She ended up sad when the dog was ready.
Consider that a warning about how comfy it gets.
Why This Little Cafe Deserves a Spot on Your Must-Visit List
A 4.8-star rating is impressive for any cafe. For one built from a family’s hope, it feels even sweeter.
GET Café, Narberth, PA proves that kindness and good business can share a counter. Workers earn real wages.
Customers get great coffee and food. The town gets a warm gathering spot.
That $1 million in paid wages tells a bigger story too. It shows what happens when people are given a chance instead of a closed door.
Every dollar represents hours of honest work.
Many visitors find the place by accident. They come back on purpose.
That says a lot about how the cafe makes people feel.
I believe more Pennsylvania towns could use a spot like this. It’s colorful, welcoming, and quietly powerful.
You leave with caffeine and a better mood.
Want to help beyond buying a muffin? Look into GET Included, the nonprofit that supports the cafe’s mission.
Events and programs give you more ways to get involved.
Next time you’re near Philadelphia, make the short trip out to Narberth. Order something tasty, play a board game, and thank the staff.
A son needed a job, and a whole community got a cafe. Pretty good trade.
