Businesses Stay Open Later for Fasting Muslims
Ramadan restricts Muslims from enjoying their favorite restaurants and cafes during their 17-hour daily fasts. However, Muslims in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights have the convenience of several businesses that offer extended hours.
Shatila Bakery in Dearborn, 14300 W. Warren Ave., stays open one hour later for fasting Muslims to find time during the holy month to enjoy its sweets after iftar, or the meal for breaking fast at sunset, or after the nightly prayers at the mosque. It closes at midnight during the week and not until 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Middle Eastern establishments aren’t the only ones to offer special services during Ramadan. Other businesses that cater to all demographics also are making adjustments.
“The reason why we’re doing it is to offer coffee after iftar for people,” said Maher Dabaja, manager of Biggby Coffee in Dearborn Heights.
He said this is the second year the Muslim-owned franchise location, which opened last year, has extended its hours for Ramadan.
“We are also the first coffee shop franchise to offer halal meat,” he said.
Dabaja said they delivered fliers to wish people a happy Ramadan and let Muslims know about their plans to stay open later.
Jackie Lovejoy, Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce president, said people and businesses in the area are aware of Ramadan and might assign extra staff for the after-sundown hours.
“I don’t think (Ramadan) would have a negative impact whatsoever,” she said.
Yogurtown, a Dearborn-based self-serve frozen yogurt shop, also is catering to the Muslim crowd.
“Happy Ramadan! Our Dearborn store will be open daily until 1 a.m. every night!” reads a post on the Facebook page of the shop, 22055 Michigan Ave.
Instead of extending hours, other businesses, such as Greenland Market, 25853 Ford Road, in Dearborn Heights, are offering special sales.
Most items are on sale, including produce, groceries and meat, owner Haider Koussan said.
He said it’s a profitable month for his store.
“It’s a blessing spiritually, business-wise and health-wise for all of us,” he said.
Aysha Jamali
Press and Guide