BRANDON, S.D. (KELO) —It took a year of hard work, but Monday night a new business is getting ready to open in Brandon.
After a couple of soft openings, the nonprofit drink and snack shop Buddies and Company is ready for customers.
The new Brandon business hires adults with all abilities.
“We just want it to have a place where adults with disabilities could come and have meaningful work and be a part of their community,” Buddies and Company board member Krista Halseth said.
The workers we talked with can’t wait for the big day.
“We are excited to be open on Wednesday, July 24th. In the mornings we will be open from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. and in the afternoon from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.,” Buddies and Company employees Andrew Knutsen and Rylee Griffith said.
“Lots of smiles, lots of laughs, hard workers, lots of yummy, yummy drinks, some snacks on the side, maybe a few hugs along the way, but definitely a happy, positive experience,” Halseth said.
Buddies and CO is thankful for all of the community support they have received from Brandon and its surrounding areas.
“I mean, it’s what we envisioned it to be that we thought the community would just rise up and help us. And that’s exactly what’s happened. And it’s awesome. That’s it makes us feel really grateful,” Buddies and Company board member Carin Griffith said.
Workers can’t wait to serve snacks and smiles to all.
“Excited, anxious. All the feelings, I think. Excited to see Riley start to, you know, get into a routine of working in a place that she loves to be, wants to be there and, you know, working with her friends and getting to see people in the community. So, it’s exciting,” Griffith said.
To learn more about Buddies and Company, click here.
