[nfbmi-talk] Anderson Building BSBP announcement

[Lydia Anne Schuck via nfbmi-talk]

Hello listfriends, I have pasted below the text of the announcement of Cora's Cafe, which is dated May 20.  This is the cafe in the Anderson Building.

May 20, 2014 - The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) today announced the opening of the new Cora’s Café in the Anderson House Office Building. The new restaurant serves legislators, staffers and visitors a diverse set of quality menu options from many Michigan companies, including MSU Dairy and Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Cora’s Café will also be the home to the new training center for the BSBP’s Business Assistance and Development Program (BADP). The program provides individuals who are blind advanced training in how to manage and own businesses in the private sector.

"Michigan residents and other visitors will now have a convenient place to grab a bite to eat when visiting state lawmakers or attending committee meetings at the Anderson Building," said House Speaker Jase Bolger. "As an added bonus, we're thrilled the café will help showcase some of the great food products made by Michigan companies."

“Cora’s Café will not only offer hungry diners a wide selection of well-known Michigan products and exceptional customer service, but the new eatery will aid in the advanced training blind entrepreneurs need to run their own business,” said Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Chief Deputy Director Mike Zimmer.

Cora’s is located in the lobby of the Anderson Building on Capitol Avenue in downtown Lansing. Customers will be able to quickly and easily purchase quality food and refreshments from 7:00AM - 4:00PM during week days.

In addition to many “grab and go” food items, Cora’s will also offer:

    Sixteen flavors of MSU Dairy Store ice cream
    A variety of Grand Traverse Pie Company pies
    A wide selection of coffee flavors and products
    A state-of-the-art fountain drink machine

The BADP will offer consulting and development services, educational programs, financial assistance and guidance for small and medium businesses operated, managed or owned by entrepreneurs who are legally blind. The program will partner with the Michigan Restaurant Association on ServSafe food safety classes, where students learn to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. The BADP will also provide customer-related services with various stakeholders and associations to encourage the growth of legally blind entrepreneurs in the private sector.

“The café will provide blind business professionals a highly-technical educational experience in customer service, human resources, inventory control and record keeping. Skills they need to run any type of business,” said BADP Director Rob Essenburg.

Cora Reynolds AndersonCora’s Café and the Anderson House Office Building are named after Cora Reynolds Anderson, who served as the first woman and Native American in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1925-26. The building and new restaurant honor her dedication to the citizens of Michigan.