Deli goes the extra mile to make wheelchair-using employee's chef dreams come true

Many restaurants employ staff with disabilities or special needs, but Jordyn's Deli in Falling Waters, West Virginia, stands out for the way it treats its employees. Opened by Bob and Tracey Parks, the deli was designed to provide opportunities for people with special needs, like their daughter Jordyn. According to The Journal, Jordyn—who has autism, epilepsy and anxiety, along with other medical issues—inspired her parents to create a workplace where others with similar challenges could thrive. In 2021, Jordyn's Deli gained widespread attention after surprising their wheelchair-using employee, Angelina, with a special gesture.

The moment was highlighted by the deli on their Facebook page, with a caption alongside Angelina's image stating, "When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade." Despite facing various medical challenges, Angelina had proven herself to be one of the deli's best employees. However, her dream was to be a cook, and Jordyn's Deli made that possible for her. The Facebook post detailed, "You find a way to make it happen. You move a couple of pieces of equipment around so she can reach them. You take some wood, screws and the skills of a local craftsman (her grandfather) to make her a perch. And you step back to watch her live out a dream. This is who we are. This is what we do."

That wasn't the only instance where the deli catered to its employees with special needs, ensuring the store was all-inclusive. According to the deli's official website, Jordyn's Deli was founded as a "place of welcome and employment for those with special needs." The website description emphasized, "Employees do not simply work here; they learn the restaurant business. They gain valuable job skills, make friends to last a lifetime and gain enough self-confidence to work independently. Our success depends not only on providing amazing food in a friendly and casual atmosphere." Overall, the deli strives to help every employee reach their full potential.

People in the comment section of the Facebook post expressed their delight at seeing Angelina thrive in a supportive work environment, where the owners genuinely care about their staff. Eric Brown commented, "Angelina and the rest of your staff are fantastic! Great food, great service, great people!" Kevin M. Renfroe mentioned, "If I lived in West Virginia, I'd be there in a heartbeat to have one and be in the company of such good people!" Danielle Draper Schrecengost added, "Your food is amazing and all of your workers are just as amazing. They all work so hard to make your dining experience great. More people should take your lead in helping/giving others a job."

Speaking about the idea behind opening Jordyn's Deli, Tracey told The Journal, "It's wonderful to be able to see the outpouring from the community already. Working in the school system and knowing the kids are so capable but knowing there's not a lot out there for them to be able to do in the real world, we wanted to allow them to have that. It's real special." She added that they assign jobs to employees on a "case-by-case basis" depending on their abilities. "It will depend on their ability level," she explained. "Working in the kitchen with sharp knives might be an issue for some, but maybe they can be out in the open and socialize with other people." Sadly, on November 11, 2024, a post on Jordyn's Deli's Facebook page announced that they would be closing their outlet by the end of this year.