Café Momentum Aims to Provide Opportunities to Youth

A mission-minded restaurant is coming to Atlanta.

Café Momentum aims to provide employment opportunities and skills to youth (ages 15 to 19) who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Following locations in Dallas and Pittsburgh, the concept is now headed to Downtown Atlanta at 200 Peachtree Street.

The modern American casual fine-dining establishment will provide an opportunity for participants to rotate through different aspects of the restaurant through a 12-month paid internship program.

Chef Chad Houser got the idea for Café Momentum after having the opportunity to teach young men in juvenile detention how to make ice cream, and the experience stuck with him. The first restaurant opened in Dallas in 2015, followed by one in Pittsburgh. Their mission is depicted in the documentary Building Momentum .

Stewart Williams , who has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience, is the executive director of Café Momentum Atlanta.

A recent job posting indicates that the Atlanta restaurant is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to oversee kitchen operations and personnel and to serve in a mentorship role for the interns.

According to a liquor license application, the restaurant will have a seating capacity of 110. Operating hours are expected to be 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Ahead of its brick-and-mortar opening, Café Momentum Atlanta has been hosting pop-up dinners and events in the city to introduce the concept to the community.

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