Those stopping by the Forsyth County Courthouse will have a “creative” way to get coffee and breakfast items.

This week, clients and officials with Creative Enterprises Forsyth, a local program for adults with special needs, opened their new Creative Café at the courthouse, where they serve a variety of items including biscuits, muffin, orange juice and coffee. 

“They don’t have anything here eating wise except vending machines,” said Lisa Bennett, director of Creative Enterprises Forsyth. “So, one of our board members thought it would be a good idea to start the program here. So, we opened up Creative Café, which is a great opportunity for our clients to get some experience working with the public and building up their stamina so they can get other jobs, learning appropriate social skills and counting money out.”

Forsyth County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley said he was approached by members of the group and felt it would be a good addition to the courthouse. 

“I said, ‘well this sounds like a great opportunity because we really don’t have anywhere nearby the courthouse for people to get a cup of coffee, get a muffin or whatever for the morning hours,’” Bagley.

Bagley said he isn’t the only one at the courthouse who is a fan.

“I have been hearing from people that it’s a great success,” he said. “A lot of people are really positive about the great opportunity.”

Bennett said the café doesn’t have a set schedule yet but will be at the courthouse twice a week and has plans to expand. 

“We started out on light days because we wanted to get used to it,” she said. “Once we do it about a month, we’re going to pick jury days or traffic court days.”

She said the group has had “a very good reception” from customers.

“I have to keep reminding our clients to say, ‘thank you’ and ‘come back again,’” Bennett said. “Everybody has been so accepting and so patient with us. We could do everything and make it go faster, but we’re trying to let them learn, and everybody here has been wonderful.”