Bakery offering 'meaningful' employment in Schenectady
Apr 13, 2015, 7:59am EDT UPDATED: Apr 13, 2015, 8:01am EDT

Megan Rogers- Reporter- Albany Business Review

Puzzles Bakery and Cafe served more than 1,000 puzzle-shaped cookies when it opened its doors on World Autism Awareness day earlier this month.
Sara Mae Hickey, owner of the Schenectady restaurant, says the overwhelming response underscores the support the business has attracted in the community for its mission to provide meaningful work to those with special needs.
The restaurant has sold hundreds of the puzzle piece sugar cookies, shaped because puzzles are a symbol of autism awareness, each day since opening.
Puzzles quietly opened in March at 515 State St. in Schenectady and had its grand opening April 2 to mark Wold Autism Awareness day.
"Ever since then we've been busy," Hickey says. "I tend to use the word 'overwhelmed,' especially in a good way."
Hickey, 24, and her family purchased the building in 2013 and spent the following months doing a full renovation of the space. Hickey describes the renovation process as building "a new building in the shell of an old building."
The cafe employs 19 employees, more than half of whom are on the autism spectrum or have a special need.
Hickey, a Skidmore College alumna, says more than 400 people in the area applied to work at Puzzles.
"It breaks my heart that I can't hire them all," Hickey says. "There are so many people just looking for meaningful work."
She does anticipate hiring a few more people in the coming months. Hickey says she's been asked to replicate the business model in other cities, including places in the region, Troy, Albany and those outside the state.

Thanks for posting the story.

This definitely sounds like a good business, hopefully will buy from this taxpaying business and hope that the tax exempt for-profit bakeries (especially that which is owned by millionaires) won't put this little one out of business.

Great story, great people.