Small Family Business Crushed

Behind every small business is a family. Lisa Ladouceur and Ziad Hameed are my sister and brother-in-law that opened Sammouna restaurant in June 2015 to offer Midland and the surrounding community healthy food choices. The restaurant business is not easy, but they worked hard to make it successful.

They started a Mediterranean restaurant seven years ago in a town that had never seen this food variety, and they thrived.

They have sponsored meals for our health care heroes, sponsored refugee families and sponsorship of community teams. They have been a very active and supportive member of the community.

Over the last two years during Covid, they struggled but made a conscious decision to do everything to stay open to support their staff and loyal customers as best they could. This incurred large debts and ran a deficit, but that was ok because they had long-term plans.

Just last week, they opened up tables, took off their masks and were excitedly planning for this summer.

And then the unthinkable happened...

The landlord has issued an eviction notice.

Sammouna will close on April 22nd 2022, after 7 years, not because they want to, not because they planned to, not even because of Covid 19, but because the landlord is evicting them to rent the larger space (Sammouna and adjacent vacant suite) to a Triple-A company for higher rent. They gave them five weeks' notice of eviction.

This eviction will financially cripple them, which they explained to the Landlord's CEO, but the response they received was “it’s not personal, it’s business.” They are crushed. Gutted. Legal advice has provided no recourse. This corporation waited until the no eviction order was lifted by the government date of April 22, 2022.

They played their cards well. No rental space is available that works for the space needed; they’ve looked with real estate assistance. The cost of reopening in another site is beyond them.

The ripple effect of this "it's only business" decision will be felt by the Sammouna staff and families, and the community.

Unfortunately, the restaurant could not be saved unless a miracle occurs, but I felt I had to try and do something to help my sister.

So I am reaching out to the community that Sammouna has been a part of and supported over these past 7 years and asking for help. The costs will help them pay for removing the 12 ft hood system.  Or hopefully relocating to another place, or maybe a food truck. Or the lawyer to help straighten all this out in the courts. All costs that were not planned. 

If you can help in any way, in any amount, it is greatly appreciated.