Puzzles Bakery & Café is committed to improving the livelihood of individuals, families, and communities affected by autism spectrum disorders. Sara Mae Pratt founded the Schenectady café where she employs individuals with developmental disabilities. She knows these individuals have the right to work in integrated settings with non-disabled colleagues, be afforded the same wages, and contribute to society.
“Puzzles Bakery & Café harnesses the power of business to achieve social good,” says Pratt. “In addition to employing individuals with disabilities, our business also touches upon other social issues such as re-urbanization, downtown revitalization, nutrition, and locally sourced food.”
Puzzles Bakery & Café offers a variety of freshly baked goods, artisan sandwiches, hearty soups, signature salads, and beverages available for purchase for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Pratt started Puzzles in 2015, with help from the Community Loan Fund. “I’m a firm believer that every dollar we spend in our communities is like casting a vote for the world we want to live in,” says Pratt. “We are so fortunate that the Community Loan Fund was willing to invest in Puzzles Bakery & Café early on– this allowed us to open our doors for business and fulfill our mission of providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with special needs.”
Pratt’s hope for the future? “I hope folks will continue to invest locally in the coming year! Support local businesses like Puzzles, shop small, and keep casting those votes to make our community a better place for everyone.”
Visit Puzzles Bakery & Café, 515 State Street, Schenectady, NY, (518) 280-2620.
