The Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia concentrates on improving and developing minority-owned businesses.
Through the hard work of its business development program, minority owners are given the opportunity to start and operate their own businesses. One of the center’s success stories is a flourishing Lebanese bakery called Manakeesh, located at 4420 Walnut St.
Opened in January of 2011, Manakeesh serves a traditional Lebanese menu, which includes fresh baked bread, baklava, desserts, coffees and teas, and fresh sandwiches. The bakery was built and transformed from a run-down abandoned structure into a bright, colorful and warm place of business. But the transformation was not easy and it took a lot of hard work to accomplish.
Abd Ghazzawi is the operating manager at Manakeesh. He credited the Enterprise Center for where the business is today.
“In a tough economy, businesses are always looking for ways to save money, to market better and to increase exposure. The Enterprise Center helped us in all of those areas. They worked with us every step of the way. They provided us with resources primarily grant money, to help us improve the facade of the building, the aesthetics of our building, and to help us get opened earlier,” Ghazzawi said.
Andy Toy, the senior director of business development at the Enterprise Center, described some of
the challenges that the bakery faced and how they were able to assist Ghazzawi and the owner in overcoming the difficulties.
“We know we have made a big difference in the success of Manakeesh. They approached us with a vision and a business plan and were intent on achieving their goals. Through our program here we were able to help them,” Toy said.
Business has been good for Ghazzawi and the bakery has had a steady flow of customers. Local resident Rebecca Hall said she loves coming to Manakeesh for breakfast. “The food here is delicious, and the different variety of teas that they offer is amazing. I usually come here about five times a week to eat and read. It is a nice place to go to start my day,” Hall said.
Even though the business is established Ghazzawi is confident that the successful relationship with the Enterprise Center will continue.
“We have a few projects that we will collaborate on in the next few months. They have helped this bakery and the community out so much,” Ghazzawi said.
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