San Antonio – A San Antonio woman with special needs is not only making her dream of becoming a café owner a reality but also creating employment opportunities for others like herself.
Leah Meyer was born with Down syndrome, but she’s never let that limit her capabilities.
“It was the normal routine of any parent,” said Drew Meyer, her dad. “It was a shock when we found out she had Down syndrome, and we went through all the emotions, but when she was born, we knew she was different. We know that is cliche to say because every parent thinks their child is different, but there was something about Leah, and we knew early on she was very capable.”
A memory in particular that the family shared is a precious one that officially kick-started Leah’s first attempt at baking without help.
“When I was little, I went to the kitchen,” Leah said. “I cracked several eggs on the floor at night when you were sleeping,” she said, looking at her mother, Karen Meyer.
“We said, ‘Leah, what are you doing,’ Karen said. “And she said, ‘I am baking cookies!’ It was cute.”
Karen Meyer said it has been very special to see her daughter take on the passion of cooking and baking.
“We would use stirring and making the balls of dough as a part of her therapy to make her hands stronger,” Karen said. “Because it was an interest she had. It has been special to us to always be in the kitchen doing something I love, but that it is her passion, too.”
The family said since Leah was 3 years old, they knew she would become some kind of restaurant owner.
She’s always had a name she would call it.
“At first, it was going to be Angel Cafe, but it was already taken,” Leah said. “So I chose Mermaid Cafe because of my dream. I really like mermaids, and it is also in Greek.”
There was something else very special about this idea that began to really shape up a few years ago.
Today, that idea is located at 14415 Blanco Rd Ste 110.
“As she grew older, she met others like her going to school and being in gymnastics and cheerleading, and in that community, we thought, ‘They can do things just as well. They just need the chance,’ Drew said. “We wanted this to be a cafe for Leah to call her home and be proud of it, but we wanted it to be a place for meaningful employment for those with special needs or those with physical or intellectual disabilities. People like Leah and her friends, we come to realize, they can do quite a bit of things if just given the opportunity.”
Now, at the age of 24, Leah has an active YouTube channel called Cooking with Leah, where she cooks and bakes for all to see her special dishes.
They also started their Mermaid Cafe website, raising money to afford adaptable equipment for people with special needs.
Leah also has a special motto behind her business.
“You are enough,” she said. “There is not a time where I don’t think I’m enough.”
Leah, who will be the manager, is hoping to hire people who are nice and love to bake, make coffee, clean and more.
They will also have a merch store for people to work.
“We have t-shirts and stickers,” Leah said. “We will have lots of pastries, cookies, cupcakes and croissants!”
Her parents say they are currently in the permitting stage with the city, but they are hoping to be up and running with a grand opening in February 2025.
They said they were beyond proud of her.
“She has goals, is driven and has this heart that is huge, and she wants to give back,” Karen said. “She is constantly looking for ways to help people and we are so proud and excited for this next step.”
Her dad added that because there is such a need to give those with special needs an opportunity in the workforce, several in the community are just as excited about working and visiting the cafe.
“It is an under-serviced community in San Antonio,” Drew said. “I don’t know if people are afraid (of) someone who is not (a) typical worker … but what is typical really? I can tell you people on social media are very excited about this. It has been overwhelming but in a good way that there are so many people like, ‘Yes. I have a place I can belong, and can contribute and can be a part of the community,’ and we want to bring that to San Antonio.”
