The Opportunity Center of Owensboro is honoring its history by reviving the concept behind Pinocchio’s Deli, a former restaurant run by individuals with disabilities, through a one-day pop-up event downtown on Friday.
Rosemary Conder, executive director of the Opportunity Center, said Pinocchio’s was the first of its kind when it began in the 1970s, providing job training and public interaction for individuals with disabilities.
“Pinocchio’s was one of the first restaurants where persons with disabilities prepared, planned, and served food while interacting with customers under staff supervision,” Conder said. “It became a national model and inspired similar efforts across the country.”
The original Pinocchio’s Deli operated in various locations over the years, including its last home near the current Goodwood Brewery. Though the restaurant eventually closed, Conder said its legacy remained strong within the community.
“When I became executive director, I noticed the original Pinocchio’s sign in the building and thought it would be meaningful to bring the concept back in some way,” Conder said.
The Opportunity Center has since developed a nutrition and culinary program, providing meals for its clients and offering culinary training. Participants in the program learn food safety, meal preparation, and restaurant service skills.
To showcase their progress, the center has hosted pop-up events where participants plan, prepare, and sell meals. This Friday, they will be at 103 West 3rd Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Shop Small Week serving soups, warm drinks, and more.
“We thought, ‘why not bring this idea downtown?'” Conder said. “It’s a chance for the public to enjoy some great food while supporting our program participants and their growth.”
While this is a one-day event, the Opportunity Center plans to continue hosting pop-ups at its facility.
The Opportunity Center owns the bingo hall property, where nonprofits rent space for gaming events. They’ve converted the hall’s concession stand into a kitchen to support the center’s nutrition efforts and ensure compliance with federal dietary standards.
Conder said the programs are about more than just food service – they’re about creating opportunities and building skills that translate to future employment.
“Programs like this help people build confidence and independence,” Conder said. “It’s all about showing the community what individuals with disabilities can achieve.”
For more information about the Opportunity Center or its programs, visit their website or follow them on social media.
