Sunshine Sips is now serving customers inside the Mississippi Antique Galleria, providing job training and employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The coffee shop, operated by nonprofit A Latte Opportunities, is preparing for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 9.
“We are open now, so we’re doing like our soft opening, but we can serve customers now,” said Angele Mills, executive director of A Latte Opportunities.
The nonprofit grew out of A Latte Friends, a coffee shop that closed in early 2026. The new location provides opportunities for former employees to return and for participants in the nonprofit’s training program to gain workplace experience.
Gunner Price, who previously worked at A Latte Friends, said he was disappointed when the coffee shop closed.
“It wasn’t a good feeling,” Price said.
When asked how he felt about working at the new shop, Price said, “It made me feel glad that I could work at this new place.”
Mills said the location inside the Mississippi Antique Galleria offers more opportunities for participants to serve customers and introduce visitors to the nonprofit’s mission.
The gallery receives more than 1,000 visitors daily, according to Mills.
The nonprofit’s 12-week training program combines classroom instruction, community service and hands-on experience at the coffee shop. Mills said the program includes 10 interns divided into two groups of five.
Sunshine Sips serves coffee, dirty sodas and Lotus drinks. The shop is located in Suite E of the Mississippi Antique Galleria at 1909 E. Pass Road.
The shop is open Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
