Avery’s Modern Teahouse in Loveland, Colorado isn’t just about serving great tea — it’s about fostering inclusivity. This nonprofit teahouse offers a warm, welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities can gather and feel at home. More than just a cozy café, Avery’s provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, giving them a chance to develop real-world job skills in a supportive environment. Their slogan, “Great tea. Better people,” reflects a deep commitment to both quality beverages and equal accessibility.

Inside, visitors will find quiet, private and semi-private areas to get work done, connect with others or just hang out. There are also designated community areas for families to let loose more loudly — to interact and socialize.

Photos courtesy of Kristen Bland

Avery’s Modern Teahouse is named after the owners’ 6-year-old daughter, Avery Bland — a spirited individual born with a need for some more extensive support in life.

When Avery was born, her mother, Kristen Bland, became involved in the disability community, founding “Avery’s Light,” a special needs nonprofit aimed at raising money for kids of any age with any sort of need, ranging from wheelchair lifts, talkers, devices, therapies and more.

But Avery’s inspiration and the Bland family’s efforts to change the world one person at a time doesn’t end there — stepping into this cozy and light-filled shop emits a sense of bright cheeriness (along with the cheery attitude of the folks working inside).

Avery’s serves excellent coffee, tea and snacks — but what makes it an exceptionally unique place (outside of its welcoming common spaces) is its ability to change lives by giving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) a chance to work and learn in a real-world job.

“We’re really centered around inclusivity, and we just welcome people of all abilities,” says on-site general manager, McKenna Schultz. “I think what puts us apart really just is our mission to help people with disabilities and create that environment where everyone is successful.”

As a member of the special needs family community, it was brought to Bland’s attention that the kids of this community who wanted jobs weren’t finding enough success in securing employment.

In fact, according to a 2022 U.S. Department of Labor report, nearly 80% of individuals with disabilities are considered “not in the labor force” — meaning they are neither employed nor seeking work.

Bland believes these people need a safe place and someone who’d give them the resources to prosper. Today, Avery’s provides individuals with IDDs an opportunity to learn new skills and immerse themselves in real-life, on-the-job working experience.

“Even if you walk in here just wanting tea or coffee, it’s a bonus to see someone with different abilities than you succeed,” Schultz says. “When you come in here, you’re still going to get what you want, but you [also] get to see someone who’s different than you [succeed] in an environment that you might not, normally.”

Avery’s can serve as a fun space to host celebrations ranging from birthdays to baby or bridal showers and even more private, ticketed events. The shop also hosts events such as craft workshops and community get-togethers.

Tasty goodies range from tea (of course) to specialty coffee drinks, snacks such as cookies, scones, waffles and paninis, and some fun merchandise like mugs, tumblers and t-shirts. But no matter what you order, a warm beverage or bite to eat, and no matter who you interact with while you’re there, it’s always going to come with a side of cozy feelings.

Molly O’Brien
Travel Journalist
metropolitanmolly.com

Originally published in the summer + fall 2025 issue of Well.