Westlake Porter Public Library selects new cafe

Westlake Porter Public Library’s board of trustees has selected SAW Inc. to fill the café space at the library. SAW Inc. – Solutions at Work – is a nonprofit organization that employs individuals with developmental disabilities in conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ training programs.  

SAW Inc. with the CCBDD will operate the café as Pulleys at Porter. WPPL and SAW Inc. are currently negotiating a contract for the space with an eye toward opening in mid-July.

SAW Inc. was selected as the new café after a two-month-long process that began after the previous café closed in February. The process included submission of proposals to the library board, a tour of the café facility and interviews by a board committee.

Initially, the library received numerous inquiries about the process, but ultimately only two vendors submitted an RFP – SAW Inc. and Italian Creations. Prior to vendor interviews, however, Italian Creations withdrew their proposal realizing that with a steady increase in their current business they would not have the resources to start a new project.

A committee of the library board and a team of library staff met with SAW Inc. and were extremely impressed with their presentation and the quality of products they will offer in the new café.

“We are delighted to be working with an organization whose mission so closely complements our own,” said Library Director Andrew Mangels. “And we know our customers will be delighted by their offerings.”

The café will offer a variety of sandwiches and fresh salads, as well as breakfast pastries and drinks. Mangels added that Pulleys at Porter’s grand opening will be announced when the date has been set.