The Neal Smith Federal Building, located in Des Moines, IA, has been an integral part of empowering blind entrepreneurs for decades! In the 1970s, the Neal Smith building was the first site in the nation where a blind entrepreneur ran the cafeteria on federal property. This paved the way for countless other blind entrepreneurs across the country as they built businesses from snack counters to full foodservice operations.
Today, Neal Smith is still a pioneering partner, as it is the first federal building in this region to house a micro market through Iowaβs BEP. Since its conversion from vending to a micro market shortly after the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Neal Smith market has supported and served countless customers with a significantly broader product line than its previous vending machines. The managing entrepreneur emphasizes a customer-first focus by engaging with customers, taking product requests, experimenting with new products, and welcoming feedback.