When I first moved into this store, I improved the shelves, the floors, and the inventory. Now my dream is to sell natural products, like back in Eritrea, where we did not have junk foods. Growing up, I always enjoyed cooking with my mother. Today, I still love to cook at home and I make fresh beef sambusa sandwiches for the store.

I have increased our healthy food offerings by carrying fresh produce. These items have sold well, so I plan to expand my selection in a display rack at the front of the store to capture people’s attention. My customers have expressed interest in additional healthy prepared food items at the store. In order to meet this demand, I have purchased new equipment, upgraded the delicatessen case, and improved the preparation area.

My wife and I have four kids, but when I am working here all day my customers are my family. You have to take care of the community like you take care of yourself. Money comes and goes, but relationships, brothers, sisters, family are not going to go away. Over ten years, I have seen kids in this neighborhood grow up. Like family, I want to make sure they are healthy. Similar to growing up Eritrea, I am taking what I have and making it into something better.