wcw DEC 2021

nonprofit profile
Rise & Nye’s in Sarasota
Inclusion, Jobs and Dignity for those with disabilities
1.
4.
1. Kelley Rouse,
Nick Nye, Kristi Stadler,
Beaver Shriver,
Mercedes Matthews
2. Coffee barista
Kelley Rouse. On the wall it
says “Inclusion, Jobs
and Dignity”
3. Nick Dugan mans the
kitchen and prepares all the
orders. He recently earned
his chef coat.
4. Rise & Nye’s caters
parties and events - large
and small
5. Beaver Shriver,
co-founder of Rise & Nye’s
T
5.
2.
3.
he soft-spoken man
T
with the bright red shirt
has a warm smile even as
his eyes are scanning the
room inside and out, greeting
customers and checking on his
staff. Along the way he calls out
hello to someone coming in for any
number of delectables from beignets
to pastries to handmade ice cream
sandwiches. But he also checks in
with those taking orders behind the
counters or those serving food.
It’s obvious he cares about the men
and women who help him run this
stylish open space on State Street
in Sarasota. He cares a lot. That’s
because he’s not just a gentle guy, but
he wants them to always feel appreciated
and engaged with their work
at Rise & Nye’s. “I’ve wanted to do
a coffee shop for a long time,” Beaver
Shriver states, adding, “and I wanted
to give these guys a place.”
“These guys” are the energetic
crew at Rise & Nye’s who are
gainfully employed, but who also
have intellectual or developmental
disabilities. The name Shriver
should tip you off to a family known
for its compassion and dedication to
the concerns for those with disabilities,
but he’d rather tell you instead
about how amazing his staffers are
and how the program works.
Christian Nye is Beaver’s partner
in Rise & Nye’s. Nye, a trained
chef with a lengthy resume, is also
the shop’s Executive Chef and the
culinary genius behind the amazing
ice cream sandwiches that are
sold in the store or at events from a
bike cart that sits on display outside
the shop. Everything in the shop is
made fresh and organic ingredients
are used wherever possible.
“It’s heartwarming to see the
kids come in,” Beaver states as a
SCAT Plus vehicle stops outside and
another employee enters the store.
There simply aren’t a lot of opportunities
for those with these disabilities.
“Eighty per cent can’t get jobs,”
which Beaver calls “horrible and
embarrassing.”
Those who found work often
ended up in menial jobs. Some of the
employees have suffered bullying in
school, but at Rise & Nye’s they have
made friends and their boss always
gives them a big hug when they
come in—a nice benefit.
The staff love it at Rise & Nye’s.
There’s Kelly who will take your
order and is also the shop’s barista.
But she’s also an accomplished
competitive ballroom dancer. Then
there’s Nick Dugan who opens the
kitchen each day and bakes all the
pastries. He worked his way up at
Rise & Nye’s and recently earned
his chef coat.
The shop pivots from a coffee shop
up to about 3 p.m. to an ice cream
shop for the rest of the day. On Saturdays,
when the Farmer’s Market
takes place, it’s extra busy since
right outside on State Street is the
ever-popular Worden Farm produce
stand with all those early risers eyeing
a potential caffeine infusion.
If you have an event coming up
and need catering, consider Rise
’n Nye’s. They’ve done events of all
sizes, but always at its heart Rise
& Nye’s “Is a place to be and show
their abilities.”
■ STORY & IMAGES: Louise Bruderle
About Rise & Nye’s
Location: 1534 State Street, Sarasota
Call: 941-217-6449 or
email info@RiseAndNyes.com
Visit: https://riseandnyes.com/
Shop Hours: Tues-Thurs 9AM-9PM;
Fri-Sat 9AM-10PM;
Sun, Mon - Closed
In addition, they cater parties,
events, fundraisers and more.
Beaver Shriver is also available for
speaking engagements.
DECEMBER 2021 WEST COAST WOMAN 5