One falafel at a time: Mohamed Ali owners set sights on franchising
Former refugee pairs up with brother-in-law to open 2nd downtown St. John's location
Ali Al Haijaa arrived in St. John's from a refugee camp with the dream of getting back in the food business.
"This is my dream, to be like Mohamed Ali's empire. So we'll do it," Al Haijaa said during an interview in his new Water Street restaurant.
"We are looking forward to opening more and make it like a franchise — like McDonald's, Tim Hortons and then Mohamed Ali's."
Al Haijaa arrived in Canada about a decade ago, after spending four years in a refugee camp between Iraq and Jordan. His family is originally from Palestine.
He couldn't speak English and didn't know anyone, but quickly learned the key to success would be picking up the language and making friends.
During a walk around downtown St. John's one summer day last year, Al Haijaa and his brother-in-law — who was visiting from the U.S. — passed a storefront for lease.
"We were walking here on Water Street and we saw this location and I said 'You should open a second Mohamed Ali's here and he said 'Yeah, it's true,'" Al Haijaa said.
I worked hard, and then I push people to work hard. This is the life.- Ali Al Haijaa
Less than a year later, Mohamed Ali's opened its second location — serving up falafel, shawarma and other Middle Eastern treats that have become well-known favourites at his first restaurant on Duckworth Street.
The smaller location sits right underneath George Street and stays open late, catering to hungry bar-goers.
Al Haijaa co-owns the business with his brother-in-law, Ali Aldawood.
Aldawood also spent time in a refugee camp, located between Syria and Iraq, and had been living in Pennsylvania with his wife, two daughters and son.
Living in the U.S. had its own set of challenges for Aldawood, his brother-in-law explained.
"After Trump, St. John's is like [opened minded]. People are really friendly and everybody [supports] everybody, and that is what we love," Al Haijaa said.
'This is the life'
Al Haijaa reiterates that getting to where he is wasn't easy, and it wasn't without its hiccups.
He started a food truck several years ago which ran into problems. Then, under the wing of the owners of the Sprout, he opened a late-night restaurant within the vegetarian spot.
Al Haijaa finally opened his first restaurant in 2014. He now employs nine people at both locations.
"I feel I need to do something for my community first, I need to do something good for my family in the future," Al Haijaa said, adding he has a deep faith that helps him succeed.
"So I worked hard, and then I push people to work hard," he said.
"This is the life."
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