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Brownies & DownieS: Cape Town’s new coffee-shop and training centre for people with intellectual disabilities

Monday, February 15th, 2016 by Nikita Buxton

Brownies & DownieS was first begun in 2010 in Veghel, the Netherlands, when two friends, chef Teun Horck and special-needs school teacher, Thijs Swinkels, wanted to create job opportunities in hospitality for people with disabilities. The pair then successfully launched Brownies & DownieS, a non-profit coffee-shop concept with a focus on quality food, awareness, and offering training experience and employment for the intellectually challenged. The company has since opened almost 30 stores in the Netherlands and, on 8 February 2016, a branch in South Africa’s Mother City.

The interior of Cape Town's Brownies & DownieS.

The interior of Cape Town’s Brownies & DownieS.

Brownies & DownieS Cape Town offers a happy and bright space for guests to enjoy cafe-style eats and delicious brews by Truth Coffee. The dishes on the menu are prepared, cooked and served by the enthusiastic staff as a training programme for them to learn the ins and outs of the hospitality business, with a view to open up future opportunities for them in service, food preparation and management.

The owner and founder of the new branch, Wendy Vermeulen, made her way from the Netherlands to complete a social work internship in South Africa during 2010, and decided to stay in the city after completing her degree. Like the two original founders, Wendy realised that there was a lack of facilities for people with intellectual disabilities in South Africa, with these youths often completing school at the age of 18 and struggling to find employment thereafter. Wendy became increasingly aware of the fear and stigma around interacting with people with intellectual disabilities and searched for a solution, and so Brownies & DownieS Cape Town was born.

One of the staff at Brownies & DownieS. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

One of the staff at Brownies & DownieS. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Wendy explains, “Our mandate is to improve the quality of life for the intellectually challenged, and to evolve the South African societal views and acceptance of these individuals into society. We want to create welcoming atmosphere of love and acceptance in every outlet, and provide exceptional quality of food and dining experiences to our customers.”

From the looks of things, Brownies & DownieS Cape Town is well on the way to achieving its aims, and that the staff are happy and proud to work there. Manager Wade Schultz and Wendy are hands-on with running the restaurant alongside the team, assisting with training and encouragement.

A breakfast dish at Brownies & DownieS. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

A breakfast dish at Brownies & DownieS. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

The Brownies & DownieS menu offers a range of breakfasts, sandwiches, light lunches, burgers and pastries. We can recommend their signature chocolate brownie, a ridiculously addictive treat that’s totally worth the sugar intake. Office workers in the area are also welcome to place orders for takeaway lunches.

There have been a few questions with regards to the name of the café. Wendy explains, “the name was created by parents in the Netherlands who are parents of young adults with down syndrome. Before we took it over to South Africa, we talked to a lot of parents at the Down Syndrome Association Western Cape, and they are fine with the name. They say it is not about the name, it is about the fact that there is finally a place where they are accepted for who they are and where they can work.”

For those wanting to support this inspiring business and training centre (aside from becoming a regular, that is), there are a number of ways to do so. Head over to their website for find out more: browniesdownies.co.za.

17 February 2016: this article was edited to remove the suggestion that this cafe is the first of it’s kind in Cape Town. Coffee Time in Gardens also provides training and work for people with mental disabilities and illnesses.

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10 Comments

  • Kayli
    February 16, 2016

    There is another one called Coffee Time in Gardens.

    Reply
  • Daryn
    February 16, 2016

    Brownies and Downies may be a good initiative, but they are falsely advertising themselves as “Cape Town’s first coffee-shop and training centre for people with intellectual disabilities”. Astra in Cape Town offers employment to those with special needs, and also serves up meals at its restaurant/cafe called Coffee Time. This initiative is about 50 years old. Please investigate and make sure your information is correct before publishing.

    Reply
  • Peter
    February 17, 2016

    I applaud this effort but it certainly is not Cape Town’s first. That honour goes to Coffee Time on Breda Street, which does exactly the same thing.

    Reply
  • Clarice
    February 17, 2016

    The name though… not cool. Not just because it’s making a joke of down syndrome but also because learning-disabled people are not ONLY down syndrome sufferers. There are other forms of it.

    Reply
  • SHEILA BELCHER
    February 17, 2016

    Thanks Daryn and Peter for bringing that up, what a wonderful opportunity to make everyone aware of it – I for one didn’t know, and I have a special needs child myself and have never heard of Asta or Coffee Time and what they do – wonderful and well done to all of you!!! You’ll be richly blessed!!!

    Reply
    1. Robert Evans
      March 3, 2016

      Hi Sheila

      Please contact me regarding your son’s appointment on Saturday.

      Thanks
      Rob

  • Berdien Tenten
    March 31, 2016

    Thanks Brownies and Downies for your initiative! Thank you for celebrating life! Thanks for advertising what you are doing and creating awareness for OTHER (dis)abilities. Maybe your not the only shop doing it but sure are the only one creating awareness for our kids and youngsters! To all the staff working there…you are amazing! Thanks for showing the world that have a (dis)ability doesn’t mean that you need to be hidden away…you can also enjoy life and give back to our community! Proud of you all! To the other people giving negative comments….rather share POSITIVE comments, e.g. letting people know that there is more initiatives in Cape Town rather putting the one initiative down. And contact the owner of the coffee shop and share your negative comment with them personally. As long as we are all creating awareness and have the same goal….that’s what is important!

    Reply
  • Nomfuzo
    July 12, 2016

    Good evening

    I would kindly like to make an appointment to come for a meeting in order to acquire more information on how to secure a place at this exciting training place.

    Regards
    N.E.M

    Reply
  • Bubby
    October 5, 2016

    Well done to everyone :~) A good debate\argument brings out many facts, perceptions and experiences that we all can learn from. Thank you, that at the end of the day there is, at last, focus and public awareness on the needs of the intellectual disabilities and (it seems to be) many, many opportunities for our young ones to live a fulfilling life. Lets all get stuck in and build on this now :~) Big Hugs to you all and stay in touch…….Bubby, Qamane and Nandemazizi

    Reply
  • Jeremy
    August 13, 2017

    Is there any such place in the southern suburbs.

    Reply

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