Opportunity cooking at new Arc bakery

Groton - Clients at the Arc of New London County's employment transition center often get jobs as baggers or bus tables at businesses in the community but, until now, they have often had little opportunity for further career advancement.

Now the Arc, which provides services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, has opened its own general store and bakery, a full-fledged business it hopes will offer new opportunities for its clients seeking jobs.

"It's really about confidence and self-esteem that we're helping them with this way," said Allan Selserman, who runs the store. "It's hopefully going to help them get so they can apply to be a cashier and not a bagger."

The new general store opened Monday and is on the lower level of the Arc facility that trains clients to get jobs. The center has a full industrial kitchen and a computer lab where clients work to develop skills that will allow them to get jobs as cooks, cashiers or other positions not previously given to people with intellectual disabilities.

The shop sells coffee and baked goods prepared by Arc clients, as well as goods like jewelry, blankets and crafts they make. The Arc's clients also man the cash registers and stock the shelves, developing skills they can use at future jobs.

"You can imagine in an economy like this, everybody's having such a difficult time," said Kathleen Stauffer, the Arc's executive director. "And people with disabilities often have trouble because people don't assume they can do the job, when oftentimes they can. … The myth just kind of sticks."

Not only does the new store give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to further their careers and enhance their skills, it gives the community a new way to interact with them.

"Full inclusion is one of the hallmarks of the Arc," Stauffer said. "We believe that every person has the right to full inclusion in our community and everyone is stronger when that happens."

The store is in the midst of a "soft open," giving employees an opportunity to train and work out any bugs in the business model. A grand opening ceremony will be held in September, Stauffer said.

The general store, which opened on Monday, already has a stream of regular customers, many of whom are teachers and parents of students at the adjacent Sacred Heart School who stop by for coffee before classes begin.

"We're already starting to take away some business from Dunkin Donuts and Cumberland Farms," Selserman said. "We have a good product and a focus on customer service. I've noticed when people have a question or need help, they go talk to one of our clients instead of coming to me."

Though the need to make a profit is important, the Arc's staff believes the store's more important purpose is training clients to get jobs in the community.

"Seeing their faces, just that enthusiasm and the glow in their eyes, that's the best part," Selserman said. "To be honest with you, that's better than a paycheck, seeing them succeed."