Creating a Café with Heart: Building Community, One Cup at a Time
At Hannold Associates and Hannold Management, some of the most meaningful projects we take on begin not with floorplans, but with a personal story and a bold vision. Nour Café is one of those projects. Located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, this inclusive coffee shop is the creation of Kait Gillis, a mother, advocate, and entrepreneur who wanted to reimagine what the future could look like for her daughter, Nour, and for others with special needs.
“When we had our daughter Nour, I thought about what the future is going to look like for her, and we decided to create one.” – Kait Gillis, Founder
(via Local 21 News)
More than just a café, Nour is a symbol of belonging. It’s a place where individuals of all abilities are welcomed, employed, and celebrated. Our design-build team was honored to help bring Kait’s vision to life—from a blank commercial shell to a space infused with warmth, accessibility, and mission.
🌐 Visit Nour Café
📱 Follow on Facebook
📰 Read the PennLive feature
A Mission That Inspired the Design
Kait didn’t just want to open a coffee shop—she wanted to redefine what inclusion looks like in a small business. Nour Café was envisioned as a space where people of all abilities could work side by side in equal roles, with equal pay, respect, and opportunity.
“We want people of all abilities working side by side in the same positions getting equal pay.” – Kait Gillis
(via Local 21 News)
That meant every design decision needed to do more than look good—it needed to function accessibly, feel emotionally safe, and support a team with diverse needs. This called for careful, mission-driven planning from start to finish.
From Concept to Construction: Design-Build in Action
Nour Café was developed through a fully integrated design-build process, led by Hannold Associates (architecture) and Hannold Management (construction). This unified approach gave Kait one trusted team from initial concept through final delivery—keeping her vision intact and her timeline on track
Design Priorities Included:
Accessibility as a Standard, Not an Afterthought
Wider walkways, thoughtfully positioned equipment, and ADA-compliant features were all seamlessly integrated—not just for code, but for culture.Calming, Warm Aesthetic
Inspired by nature and softness, the interior features light woods, earthy textures, gentle lighting, and subtle signage—creating a café that feels like a sanctuary.Functional, Open-Concept Café Bar
Designed for efficiency and inclusion, the coffee station layout allows team members of all abilities to work together with ease and confidence.Flexible Seating & Community Use
A mix of cozy nooks and communal tables makes the space welcoming to solo visitors, families, and groups using the café for workshops and events.Construction Coordination with Intention
The buildout required close collaboration across trades, as well as creative phasing to accommodate mission-specific furnishings, equipment, and finishes.
“We’ve watched guests feel something when they walk in. We’ve created a space where everyone’s light shines a little brighter.” – Nour Café Facebook post
Building a Team That Reflects the Mission
Since opening, Nour Café has become a model for employment inclusion in Central Pennsylvania. Kait and her team work closely with parents, support staff, and nonprofit partners to onboard employees with a variety of disabilities and create systems that help them thrive.
“We’ve had so many applications come through from parents with adult children who have special needs,” said Gillis in WGAL’s coverage. “We want this to be their future.”
The café’s environment supports not just training and job skills, but confidence, belonging, and purpose. It shows what’s possible when space is designed around people—not just process.
A Community Space Worth Celebrating
In March 2024, Nour Café celebrated its one-year anniversary, a milestone that coincided with World Down Syndrome Day—a symbolic and powerful moment for Kait, her daughter, and the growing community around the café.
“This space is a little piece of our heart,” said Gillis. “It was created for Nour. But it’s for everyone.”
📍 Nour Café
101 N. St. Johns Church Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011
🌐 www.nourcoffee.com
Let's Build the Future—Together
At Hannold Associates and Hannold Management, we’re proud to support clients like Kait who lead with purpose and build with courage. Whether you're creating a café, a nonprofit venture, or an inclusive retail experience, our design-build team is here to help you shape a space that reflects your mission—every square foot of the way.