Walking into Ada’s Cafe, the aroma of artisanal coffee immediately hits you. The air buzzes with a gentle hum of conversation, and the lighting throughout the quaint interior creates an instantly welcoming atmosphere. But most notable of all is the staff’s wide smiles and enthusiasm.
Nestled in the heart of Palo Alto at Mitchell Park Community Center, Ada’s isn’t just known for its award-winning scones or coffee — it serves as a beacon of inclusion and opportunity, empowering individuals with disabilities through vocational work.
“Ada’s is a wonderful neighborhood cafe,” Menlo Park resident Obi Adewusi said. “It brings joy to my heart every time I see the cafe staff smiling. There’s something special about a place where the staff is genuinely happy.”
Fueled by study sessions and the need for a caffeine kick, Palo Alto students often flock to Ada’s for the cozy atmosphere and delicious pick-me-ups. Its location directly across from the library only adds to the foot traffic.
“Ada’s Cafe is such a convenient spot to hang out,” Castilleja sophomore Jackie Chan said. “Plus, it has a really chill atmosphere, so it’s a great place to relax for a few minutes before heading to the library to focus on some studying.”
The cafe’s founder, Kathleen Foley-Hughes, drew much of the cafe’s inspiration from personal experience when starting the cafe in 2014. As a mother, Foley-Hughes said she bases much of her decisions on her children. Her son, Charlie, experienced brain damage due to premature birth and faced isolation at school.
Concerned about the limited vocational opportunities offered at school, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Utilizing her background as a chef, Foley-Hughes approached the school administration about starting a cafe vocational program.
Thus began “The Gunn Gourmet Cafe,” designed to benefit all students in Charlie’s class.
“We worked on everything from functional math, making change, to making a good cup of coffee,” Foley-Hughes said.“We train the students and then the students train the other kids from the special day class, and that was such a positive experience.”
The vocational program’s success was exhibited through the skills students gained, leading Foley-Hughes to extend the cafe’s mission beyond school walls. Ada’s Cafe decided to compete to be the vendor when it was revealed that Mitchell Park Community Center would also house a cafe. In 2010, Ada’s Cafe announced that it would be occupying the spot.
The cafe’s name holds a double meaning: it honors both the Americans with Disabilities Act, abbreviated ADA, and a grandma in Foley-Hughes’ neighborhood named Ada who would invite kids to her house and bake them sweet treats.
Ada’s Cafe officially opened in December 2014, along with the rest of the Mitchell Park complex. Since then, Ada’s Cafe has undergone many changes, including a complete closure during the pandemic, but one goal has remained constant over the years: serving good food to the community.
“There’s an underlying bias that someone with a disability might create something that’s less value, so we work really hard to make sure that it’s not mediocre and that it’s on par or even better,” Foley-Hughes said.
Ada’s Cafe has become a cherished community landmark and a model for other businesses throughout the Bay Area seeking to create an inclusive environment. The cafe’s commitment transcends beyond delicious coffee and heartwarming service. In the future, Foley-Hughes hopes that the cafe will be able to expand to additional locations throughout the Bay Area.
“We really believe in a community,” Foley-Hughes said. “We want to know what customers want. We really do believe in the power of connection.”
