For cafes like Haraz Coffee House, riding a wave of interest nationwide in late-night, alcohol-free gathering spaces means embracing the franchise model.According to a recent report from The New York Times, Hamzah Nasser faced a dilemma when he learned that the Israeli military had bombed the Yemeni port of Hudaydah a couple of weeks ago. As the owner of Haraz Coffee House in Dearborn, Michigan, Nasser relies on monthly shipments of Yemeni coffee to supply his cafe. However, the usual route for these shipments was now blocked due to the conflict in Yemen.
Nasser, a former truck driver, opened his first cafe four years ago and has since expanded to a 70,000-square-foot building in Dearborn that houses his headquarters, two industrial roasters, and a bakery. He plans to open 60 more locations in the next six months and has shifted his focus from just Arab neighborhoods and mosques to any area with a young and diverse population or a culture of late-night gatherings and multiple coffee orders.
Despite the challenges posed by the conflict in Yemen, Nasser remains determined to continue serving Yemeni coffee in his cafes. He hopes to spread awareness and appreciation for Yemeni culture and cuisine through his business.
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