Bear-Claw coffee shop: Free training for hearing-impaired baristas
Yang Meng
CFP

CFP

A newly-opened Shanghai coffee shop, where drinks are served by a furry bear claw and made by people with hearing difficulties, has become a viral hit – but questions have been raised about hygiene. 

A furry bear claw gives customers a victory sign or fondles their heads after handing out their coffee at the PICK-UP hole.

A furry bear claw gives customers a victory sign or fondles their heads after handing out coffee at the pick-up hole of the coffee shop in Shanghai, east China. /CCTV News

A furry bear claw gives customers a victory sign or fondles their heads after handing out coffee at the pick-up hole of the coffee shop in Shanghai, east China. /CCTV News

The coffee shop has become a must-visit spot, with many people flocking to interact with the "bear." But what makes it special is not only the novel form of service, but also the intention behind it: to create jobs for the hearing-impaired.

The company provides free training for hearing-impaired people who want to become baristas.

The cafe's founders used to work in different industries, and now have come together to help provide disabled people with the opportunity to start their own businesses and find new ways to integrate into society.

The newly-opened coffee shop has become a hit in Shanghai with people flocking to interact with the "bear." /CFP

The newly-opened coffee shop has become a hit in Shanghai with people flocking to interact with the "bear." /CFP

"Is the bear claw hygienic?"

"As the shop is just a hole on the door, customers can't really see its environment, can the hygiene be guaranteed?"

Wang Haiqing, one of the founders of the Bear-Claw coffee shop, responded to netizens' concerns.

People who take orders have good hearing, because they have to hear customers clearly, but most of the baristas in the store are hearing-impaired. There are many "bear claws" and they are changed and disinfected every day.

Although customers can't see inside the store directly, it has government-issued business license and hygiene inspection certificate.

Despite the doubters, many netizens expressed their trust in the coffee shop on Weibo.

"We plan to recruit more disabled baristas. We are going to provide free training for hearing-impaired people who want to become baristas,"said Wang Haiqing, manager of the Shanghai coffee shop. /CCTV News

"We plan to recruit more disabled baristas. We are going to provide free training for hearing-impaired people who want to become baristas,"said Wang Haiqing, manager of the Shanghai coffee shop. /CCTV News

The store opened on December 3, the International Day of the Disabled, with the promise of a free cup of coffee a day for disabled people. Customers who come to taste coffee can place their orders through a QR code posted on the wall.

Wang is very happy to see more disabled people start businesses and find job through their efforts: "We plan to recruit more disabled baristas. We are going to provide free training for hearing-impaired people who want to become baristas."