Our Story
Walnut & Park is serving up much more than a great cup of coffee.
We know you came to Walnut & Park looking for a great cup of coffee. We’re happy you found us – you came to the right place. There’s a lot more to us than a rich batch brew or a tasty sandwich. Our story begins with the people.
Most Walnut & Park employees are residents of KPEP, an innovative community corrections provider based here in Kalamazoo. The people who prepare the lattes, muffins, burgers, and salads are students or graduates of the KPEP Hospitality program – an 8-week vocational training program.
This program equips people who have been incarcerated with the job skills they need to help turn their lives around, live independently, and contribute to the community.
Graduates earn AHLEI (American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute) and ServSafe Food Handler certifications as well as CPR/First Aid certification from the Red Cross and OSHA Safety training and can put these skills to work, not only at W&P but at other employers in and around the Kalamazoo area and their home communities
Thanks for dropping by and allowing us the privilege to serve the community this way.