As more people seem to be chasing their own accomplishments and happiness, our society is overflowing with individualism. Even though South Korea developed surprisingly due to competition, there is still a part of society where people are neglected. However, there is a place called the Happy Bakery & Cafe where the warmth of human affection still remains. The Happy Bakery & Cafe shows that all individuals should have opportunities and be free to do what they desire no matter who they are.

What Is the Happy Bakery & Cafe?
   The Happy Bakery & Cafe is a bakery franchise that helps a neglected class of people by hiring baristas and workers who have developmental disabilities. The purpose of this employment is to avoid simple labor and to create an environment where those workers directly give service to customers. There are four Happy Bakery & Cafes in Seoul at the moment. The first bakery opened in September 2012 on the first floor of Purme Center in Jongno, Seoul. There are five baristas who work at the first bakery and they were trained by former baristas. Sales of the bakery are completely in the hands of those workers. Therefore, they learn how to communicate with people and give services to customers. The Happy Bakery & Cafe has diverse aspects such as its beginning, roles, and future goals; those are unique from other brands.
 

The Meaningful Start of the Happiest Bakery

 
   The motivation of starting the Happy Bakery & Cafe was job creation and long term development for people who were denied the opportunity to challenge themselves and dream. The bakery successfully began as many individuals and groups aided the business both materially and educationally. The Happy Bakery & Cafe is sponsored by diverse organizations such as the SPC Group and the Purme Foundation. In order to open the bakery, there were 3 significant steps to follow. First, it was necessary to ask Seoul for the business site. Once approval was received, the SPC Group provided facilities and the interior of the shop. The SPC Group is the leading corporate partner of bakery companies, and it produces groceries and confectionery products. This group is well known for its social distribution, such as bread delivering cars and the Happy Friday that is the volunteering day of company members. In addition, there is the Soul Bakery that takes a major part in educating and providing products. It is a bakery brand where disabled people bake by using domestic ingredients; moreover, it is famous for high quality breads. In April 2012, the SPC Group and the Soul Bakery co-founded the “SPC & SOUL Happy Bakery Class.” This class educates students until they can work at the bakery with the appropriate knowledge and manners. Baristas of the first Happy Bakery & Cafe were also trained from the class. The Purme Foundation also manages the business and assists workers.
 

 
 

The Happy Bakery & Cafe Desires Independence and a Good Future
   Independence is the key factor to pay attention when people visit the Happy Bakery & Cafe. It is possible to see that the motive of running the bakery is to give fair opportunities for disabled people who desire to work at bakeries. Some people who have mental disabilities are treated unfairly in some work places. Even though he or she has a job at a bakery or coffee shop, it is more likely that they will have to do simple labor such as cleaning the floor and washing dishes. Unreasonable treatment forces them to quit their jobs no matter how much of an effort they make. The Happy Bakery & Cafe supports what their workers truly want to do. “A career is not only for earning money, but it is also rewarding processes in the individuals’ lives. It applies to all individuals,” says Han Sang-kyu, who is the team leader of the business planning of the Purme Foundation. When the bakery first opened its doors, people held prejudices and they were pessimistic about the bakery. However, employees showed possibilities and outcomes by doing what they could do because that was the best way to overcome the problem. As they longed for the dream, they have never given up. The profits of the bakery, the fruits of their labors, are used for rehabilitation. From the beginning to the present, the Happy Bakery & Cafe has been striving to help people. Thus, there is no doubt in saying that the Happy Bakery & Cafe is achieving their goals step by step. 
   The Happy Bakery & Cafe is advancing toward future goals. One of the aims is the self-sustainable growth of the bakery. Even though there is a manager and sub-manager who are in charge of the administration of the bakery; workers handle all the other duties such as decorating, taking orders, making drinks, and cleaning. Consequently, the workers can be self-reliant and change community sentiment by challenging themselves and not relying on other people. It is not only providing jobs to disabled people; the Happy Bakery & Cafe helps them to stand on their own and be proud of their accomplishments.
   Furthermore, opening further Happy Bakery & Cafes is another objective. Recently, the fourth Happy Bakery & Cafe started in Eunpyeong, Seoul. The SPC Group is planning to open more Happy Bakery & Cafes by cooperating with Seoul, the Purme Foundation, and Soul Bakery. It is impracticable to hire all applicants who want to work at the bakery; however, they try to make the maximum amount of effort to give chances to people. More to the point, the bakeries increase competiveness as the SPC Group gives them a lot of know-how about goods and services. It is the dream of the workers at the first Happy Bakery & Cafe to become president of the hundredth Happy Bakery & Cafe. Organizations and members are moving forward to achieve this dream.

 

The Happy Bakery & Cafe Sells Hope to Society

 
   The Happy Bakery & Cafe has special aspects from its history to its future plans. This bakery does not only sell breads and beverages, but also hope and laughter. When people visit the bakery, the easiest thing to observe is the smile on faces of the staff. They do not complain and just enjoy their jobs because they always appreciate to be there and do what they wish. They are also courteous and have proper manners when they face guests. People are satisfied and get enjoyment from what they truly dream to do. Individuals have the right to get a chance to be what they want if they try
their best. The Happy Bakery & Cafe delivers several meanings to society that became more separated than ever. It is a place where some people can use their talents and have reasonable opportunities. The bakery also has neighborly relations between people by sharing their gains. More people should be aware of projects like the Happy Bakery & Cafe and the good they do in our communities.
 

By Baek Jin  CP Reporter  jinny524@cnu.ac.kr

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