[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 19, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2501-S2502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING NO LIMITS CAFE

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small 
business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit at the 
heart of our country. It is my privilege to recognize a small business 
that not only serves delicious food, but provides dignified work and 
promotes inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities. 
This week, it is my pleasure to honor

[[Page S2502]]

No Limits Cafe of Middletown, NJ, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  No Limits Cafe was created to help intellectually disabled 
individuals achieve their full potential. When their daughter, Katie, 
was born with Down syndrome, founders Stephanie and Mark Cartier began 
advocating for children with intellectual disabilities, ID. As Katie 
neared adulthood, Stephanie and Mark were concerned by the lack of 
meaningful employment and job training available for people with ID. 
They believed dignified work provided a sense of pride, purpose, and 
fulfilment. Employment was empowering. For adults with ID, it could be 
a life-changing opportunity. In 2017, they began planning a business 
that would enable adults like Katie to gain valuable work skills.
  Over the next 3 years, the Middletown community rallied to support 
what would later become No Limits Cafe. After the Cartiers bought an 
old restaurant, local businesses and organizations donated money, 
materials, and labor to transform the building into a welcoming and 
accessible space. No Limits Cafe was chartered as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) 
organization, reflecting its commitment to ``do good'' in their 
community. Stephanie and Mark developed a two-phase program to fulfill 
their mission of helping adults with ID gain working skills and 
independence. First, employ 25-30 adults at the cafe with ID. Then, 
provide restaurant industry training workshops and place trainees 
within local restaurants. Near the end of 2019, more than 30 adults 
with ID were hired as the nonprofit enterprise prepared to launch.
  On February 6, 2020, No Limits Cafe opened its doors to widespread 
acclaim. In addition to gaining marketable skills, employees formed 
friendships, developed independence, and expressed a sense of pride in 
their work. No Limits Cafe was profiled in outlets ranging from local 
news and radio to ABC World News Tonight. Their motto of ``Eat Well--Do 
Good'' was clearly reflected in their work.
  Like many other nonprofits, No Limits Cafe experienced a sharp 
decline in revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Without enough 
money to pay their staff, Stephanie and Mark were forced to lay off all 
36 employees. They donated the cafe's perishable supplies to a local 
food bank, unsure of when they could afford to reopen.
  When the U.S. Small Business Administration launched the Paycheck 
Protection Program--PPP--Stephanie and Mark immediately applied. The 
PPP provides forgivable loans to impacted small businesses and 
nonprofits who maintain their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 
early May, No Limits Cafe received a PPP loan. As a result, Stephanie 
and Mark have been able to rehire all 36 of their employees and will 
reopen No Limits Cafe for takeout starting Memorial Day weekend.
  No Limits Cafe is an outstanding example of how purpose-driven 
businesses can positively impact their communities. I commend their 
efforts to provide training and employment for adults with intellectual 
disabilities, a historically underserved population. Congratulations to 
Stephanie, Mark, and the entire team at No Limits Cafe. I look forward 
to watching your continued growth and success.

                          ____________________