First-Of-Its-Kind Middle Eastern Bakery Opens In Fredericton
FREDERICTON–Ahmad Abualhawa of Green Valley Market, a grocery store focusing on ingredients for Middle Eastern food, has opened a new bakery.
Specializing in Middle Eastern treats, Mama’s Bakery offers freshly baked and ready-made pastries, desserts, and appetizers.
Their menu features Middle Eastern classics like fatayer, tabouleh, and baklava.
“My mom used to make these things for me growing up,” Abualhawa told Huddle in a recent interview.
Abualhawa says he’s been planning the bakery since June of last year, but Covid-19 delayed the project. After selling an assortment of pastries out of Green Valley Market to gauge interest, he believed there was enough demand in Fredericton to open a bakery.
Located at 1167 Smythe St, Abualhawa says the bakery is the first of its kind in New Brunswick. The next closest Middle Eastern-inspired bakery is in Halifax.
Abualhawa says he hopes to create a unique experience for his customers at Mama’s Bakery.
“A lot of customers come in and they’re like, ‘wow, finally something different in town,’” he says. “People were just amazed by it.”
Abualhawa and his family came from Jordan to Canada 10 years ago. In many ways, Mama’s Bakery is rooted in that heritage.
The menu features English names and descriptions, along with their Arabic translations. The bakery’s name is also a nod to Abualhawa’s mother, Maha Khattab. She works as head chef, using virtually all her own recipes.
Abualhawa says he is happy with the support he has received from the community.
“They’ve been loving it, to be honest, and either coming back or sending a friend,” he says.
For newcomers, he recommends trying the chicken shawarma or the flatbreads.
Abualhawa says Covid-19 has made it hard to make concrete plans. Delays in equipment delivery and the availability of renovation materials have made opening difficult.
Staffing shortages are also an issue he is trying to navigate.
He says there have been pros and cons due to the pandemic. The 24-year-old entrepreneur is completing his last year at UNB with an honours in accounting and a concentration in human resources and international business.
With classes moved to online, Abualhawa has more flexibility in his schedule to manage his businesses.
Currently in a “soft opening phase” as renovations continue, Mama’s offers take-out and delivery. They also sell some products at other local businesses.
Abualhawa says there will be a seating area, where dine-in services will be available, once renovations are complete.
Due to the pandemic, a date for the grand opening is unavailable.
Mary Allan is an intern with Huddle in Fredericton. This is her first story. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].