Area residents who were disappointed when Kinko’s on South Dakota Avenue closed its doors can now rejoice that a new copy and print shop has arrived. “Signed Sealed and Delivered” celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March.

The newly refurbished storefront is located across from Turkey Thicket Recreation Center and adjacent to Cardinal’s Nest restaurant.

According to Mary Lou Meccariello, Executive Director, Signed Sealed and Delivered is a full service copy and print shop that also offers color copies, T-shirts, plaques, trophies, signs, banners, binding, laminating, and more.

Signed Sealed and Delivered is also something more: it is an undertaking in “social entrepreneurship,” which means that it is an enterprise that helps provide employment for people who need it and where all the proceeds go to help people who need it.

In this case, the enterprise is operated by The Arc of DC and the people receiving assistance are intellectually disabled. “Signed, Sealed and Delivered is a Social Entrepreneurial model and all proceeds go to support our mission and advocacy efforts to support individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Ms. Meccariello. “We plan to employ individuals with and without disabilities to enhance an integrated business model.”

DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray gave a speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, heralding the opening of the store as a new era of integration for those with intellectual disabilities. “This is a great example of how much progress we have made in our society,” said Mr. Gray, praising the new copy shop. “It is inclusive, it is mainstream, it is right in the thick of things, and that is what we fight for.”

Ms. Meccariello said it is The Arc of DC’s mission to provide as many opportunities as possible for the intellectually and developmentally disabled to live, work, play and be included in society.