One falafel at a time: Mohamed Ali owners set sights on franchising

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 belikeMohamedAli's empire. So we'll do it,"AlHaijaasaid during an interview in his newWater Street restaurant.

"We are looking forward to opening moreand make it likeafranchiselike McDonald's, TimHortonsand thenMohamedAli's."

• New restaurant marks victory for former refugee

AlHaijaaarrived 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 makingfriends.

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.

"Wewere walking here on Water Street and wesaw this location and I said 'You should open a secondMohamedAli's here and he said 'Yeah, it's true,'"AlHaijaasaid.

Iworked hard, and then Ipush people to work hard. This is the life.- Ali AlHaijaa

Less than a year later, MohamedAli'sopened its second location serving up falafel, shawarma and other MiddleEastern 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.

AlHaijaa co-owns the business with his brother-in-law, Ali Aldawood.

Aldawood also spent time in a refugee camp, locatedbetween Syria and Iraq, and had been living in Pennsylvaniawith 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," AlHaijaasaid.

Mohamed Ali's expands business with former refugee brother-in-law

7 years ago

Duration 1:42

Ali Al Haijaa has brought in his brother-in-law to help expand his middle eastern cuisine business. Both men lived in refugee camps before coming to Canada.

'This is the life'

AlHaijaareiterates 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 withinthe vegetarian spot.

AlHaijaafinally 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," AlHaijaasaid, adding he has a deep faith that helps him succeed.

"So Iworked hard, and then Ipush people to work hard," he said.

"This is the life."