A new coffee shop just opened in Baton Rouge, and it serves much more than cups of joe to the community.

Stir Coffee House , at 15405 Airline Highway, opened Oct. 31, and at least 80% of employees have intellectual or developmental differences. Owner Katie Jenkins also runs a local clinic for children 10 and under with autism, the Grace Therapy Center , which inspired her to start the coffee business.

“I started looking for holes in the community of things that Baton Rouge is really missing out on,” Jenkins said. “And employment for all of the babies that I had that grew up is really a struggle.”

Whether customers order a coffee, tea or dirty soda, Jenkins hopes they'll leave having made new friendships.

Grounds for growth

The 25 employees at Stir passed two rounds of interviews an

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