Kitchener butcher creates community for Syrian newcomers

Ammar Halal Meats offers Middle Eastern staples like pita bread, lamb kofta and sweet halvadesserts.

But the Kitchener butcher shop also has another role - helping Syrian newcomers to Waterloo Region.

Ammar and Bashar Al-Hendi, the brothers who founded the shop, are themselves Syrian immigrants to Canada. Now, alongside veal and Turkish delight, they offer translation help, advice on where to find a mosque and they're even hiring newcomers to work in their shop.

CBC Radio's Andrea Bellemare paid a visit recently andfound out howbeing helpfulhas also been good for business.

• LISTEN to Andrea Bellemare's visit to Kitchener'sAmmas Halal Meats