'Breaking my heart': Habibi Mediterranean Café closing in Portsmouth. Owner makes plea.
PORTSMOUTH — Habibi Mediterranean Café will permanently close next week due to rising costs of goods, staffing complications and troubles with its lease, according to co-owner Enas Abd.
Abd said the decision to close has been “heartbreaking,” but staffing difficulties date back to the start of the coronavirus pandemic four years ago. In addition, customers have been coming in less for lunch than in years prior, she said.
“If I could say one thing, I would say, please, please support local (businesses),” she said. “We are struggling, especially small businesses.”
The Route 1 eatery, located opposite of Service Credit Union’s landmark glass headquarters, announced its impending closure on Monday after nine years serving family recipes to the Seacoast.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions our family has had to make, but, due to issues with our lease, inability to find reliable staff, and increased food costs, we feel we can no longer provide the community with the ingredients and experiences we would be proud of,” the café's announcement on Facebook states.
In March 2016, the Lafayette Road business was opened by Enas and Sam Abd, named after the Arabic term of endearment that translates to “my love.” The cafe was opened in the space that was previously inhabited by a Joe’s New York Pizza location.
Abd said Habibi’s last day of operation will be Saturday, Feb. 24, despite the business previously announcing it would remain open until the end of the month. That leaves limited time for customers to visit for one more serving of dishes like spanakopita, falafel, pita bread and baba ghannouj on its slate of appetizers, in addition to mezza plates, soups, salads, pita wraps, kababs, shawarma, gyros, grain bowls, paninis and pizzas.
Abd: Habib 'customers are my family'
The Abds reside in Greenland and have raised two children in the area, both of whom worked in the restaurant.
One time, a doctor ordered food at the restaurant and was served by the Abds’ daughter. The doctor struck up a conversation with her about her professional ambitions, then took her under his wing to help her train to become a dentist.
“There are so many stories of so many nice customers supporting us. I cannot tell you enough,” Abd said. “It’s breaking my heart to leave.”
Enas Abd emigrated from Egypt 35 years ago and has none of her family in America, though she feels her customers have become an extended family of sorts. She was working at Habibi when a relative called to let her know that her father had passed away, which led to a steady flow of hugs, well wishes and sympathy cards at the cafe from her patrons.
“I’m an immigrant and I don't have family in America,” she said. “The customers are my family.”
More local restaurant news: Former Mojo's owners opening SouthPort Kitchen and Bar in Rye:
Could Habibi open elsewhere in the Seacoast? Abd hopes to reopen in a new location someday, though while she has checked out spots to possibly relocate the business, she presently has no plans nor a site selected.
“It’s my dream. It’s the thing I most enjoy and I feel like I'm good at it. It’s my whole life. I don’t want to go anywhere else,” she said. “I really want to stay in this area, but with the crazy prices right now and the work to build a new kitchen, I don’t know if that's going to be possible at this point.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Habibi Mediterranean Café closing in Portsmouth NH
