Refugee- and Immigrant-owned Businesses in St. Louis
By Sophia Donis
In addition to volunteering and donating items to local resettlement agencies, a fun way to support newcomers in your community is to shop local!
In the first installment of a series, the list below features restaurants, catering companies, food trucks, and other refugee- and immigrant-owned businesses for you to try in the St. Louis area.
Something you may notice as you scroll through is that many of the businesses featured have received technical or financial assistance through the II Community Development Corporation (IICDC).
A subsidiary of the International Insitute of St. Louis (IISTL), the IICDC provides business and asset development services to immigrant newcomers. IICDC partners with local banks to offer microloans or no-interest loans tailored to small business entrepreneurs. They also provide loans for immigration needs as well as consumer credit builder loans to improve credit history. With their financial literacy classes, tax clinics, and free tax preparation services, as well, this program is a tangible example of a local resettlement agency furthering the dreams of newcomers.
Stay tuned for future posts showcasing refugee- and immigrant-owned businesses across the state.
Restaurants
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Owner Hadi Ehsani was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States in 2016 after spending five years as a refugee in Turkey. In March 2023, Ehsani opened his restaurant with the hopes of making wholesome food for his community. You can find dishes from Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan on the menu.
Visit their website!
4561 Gravois Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: 314-328-1302
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When the civil war began in Syria, the Majeed family fled and landed in St. Louis to escape their war-torn country. In hopes of rebuilding a new life, restaurant owner Abdulhak Majeed drew upon the family’s experience of restaurant ownership in Syria and opened Majeed Mediterranean in 2018. The menu features authentic Mediterranean style dishes including baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and chicken shawarma.
Visit their website!
4601 Gravois Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: (314) 282-0981
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Owner Yaman Alwan originally fled his home in Damascus, Syria and lived as a refugee in Jordan. When Alwan arrived in the U.S., he started a catering business and eventually opened up his restaurant in 2021. You can find shawarma and other traditional dishes on the menu such as tabbouleh, baklava and falafel.
Visit their website!
14560 Manchester Road #29
Ballwin, MO 63011
Phone: 636-220-2524
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Brothers and co-owners Fahime and Qayum Mohammad arrived in the U.S. after fleeing Afghanistan in 1991. When they first arrived, they did not anticipate staying long, let alone opening up a restaurant 16 years later. Their inspiration to open Sameem stemmed from wanting to share their culture and change perceptions about Afghanistan. They serve traditional Afghan food and fusion dishes at their location in The Grove. They were also recently featured as a vendor at IISTL’s Community Bazaar!
Visit their website!
4341 Manchester Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: (314) 534-9500
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Sheesh serves Turkish cuisine such as Iskender kebabs, stuffed grape leaves and moussaka. In addition to their daily restaurant operations, they cater for parties, weddings, and other events.
Visit their website!
3226 S Grand
St. Louis, MO 63118
Phone: 314-833-4321
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Owner Vedad Becirovic has seen incredible success over the years and just recently opened up a fourth restaurant location in Maryland Heights. The company first started in 2009 and brings classic gyros options to the St. Louis metro area.
Visit their website!
900 Shenandoah Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63104
Phone: 314-260-9330
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Sunisa Payne, owner of Sunisa's Thai Restaurant, arrived in the U.S. in 2004 from Bangkok, Thailand. Her restaurant serves traditional Thai food, including potstickers, curry, fried rice, and more!
Visit their website!
6057 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.
Saint Peters, MO 63304
Phone: 636-922-4888
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Elvira Ahmetspahic, owner of Taste of Bosnia, fled to Germany during the Bosnian War, and afterwards made her way to St. Louis. Once her children got older, she opened the restaurant to serve traditional Bosnian dishes. Taste of Bosnia was also recently featured as a vendor for IISTL’s Community Bazaar!
Visit their website!
3970 Union Road
St. Louis, MO 63125
Phone: 314-329-6223
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As a family-owned business, Taste of Persia prides itself on preparing every meal with love. Owners Sofiya and Mohammad Abdolrezagh cook while their son, Ahmad, assists as needed. Their daughter, Ghazaleah, handles the management, financial, marketing and social media aspects of the business. Mohammad was an electrical engineer and fled to Moscow after fleeing his home in Tehran. After arriving in Moscow he met Sofiya, who had fled the war in Afghanistan, and both eventually moved to the U.S. to live with family. They serve traditional Persian dishes including kabobs, chicken tikka masala, biryani rice, and more!
Visit their website!
3189 S Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63118
Phone: 314-349-1315
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Troy Mediterranean takes Greek food very seriously. Their chef has over 15 years of experience and values serving quality dishes to customers in St. Louis.
Visit their website!
19 Stonegate Center
Valley Park, MO 63088
Phone: 636-517-1141
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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In 2000, Bedita Rizvanovic moved to St. Louis from Germany after fleeing the war in former Yugoslavia. In 2008, she opened her own cafe featuring a menu of traditional Bosnian food. In addition to doner, baklava, rolade, tulumbe and oblatne, Rizvanovic decorates specialty cakes.
Visit their website!
5415 Gravois Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: 314-752-7045
Catering & Food Trucks
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Originally from Damascus, Syria, the Alderie family opened Cham Bakery to provide St. Louis restaurants and grocers with local Middle Eastern pita bread. The recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and serve as their way of giving back to the community.
Visit their website!
6818 Manchester Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63143
Phone: (636) 220-5099
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Owners Mawda Altayan and Mohi Aldeen Alhamowi launched their business after gaining experience through Welcome Neighbor STL’s Supper Club Program. The pair bring traditional Syrian food to St. Louis such as kibbeh, tabbouleh, chicken shawarma and stuffed grape leaves.
Check out their Facebook page!
Phone: 314-285-4634
Email: mohialden1122@gmail.com
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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De Mi Madre Aprendi - which translates to ‘I learned from my mother’ - combines authentic Puerto Rican food and giving back to the community. While working with low-income families, Leslie Hernandez recognized many didn’t have access to adequate technology. She made her own blend of spices and began selling Puerto Rican cuisine to buy technology for families in need. After receiving praise for her food, she created her own business to honor her mother and further her mission of giving back to the community. The business was also recently featured as a vendor for IISTL’s Community Bazaar.
Visit their website!
Phone: 314-537-3798
Email: demimadreaprendi@gmail.com
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Adjo Honsou, owner of FUFU n’ Sauce, works with African vendors to bring traditional dishes to the region and build connections through food. She originally grew up in West Africa and wanted to create a brand that authentically represents her African roots.
Check out their Facebook page!
1610 Olive St
St. Louis, MO 63103
Email: info@fufunsauce.com
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Saha Falafel is a food truck that travels around St. Louis selling delicious falafel, shawarma, and hummus. You can find where the truck is parked in town using a tracker they post on their social media.
Check out their Facebook page!
Phone: 314-240-4169
Email: falafelsaha23@gmail.com
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Originally from Afghanistan, Nikki creates incredible custom cakes and desserts for every occasion.
Check out their Facebook page!
Email: Sw33tsbynikki@gmail.com
Miscellaneous
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Hadeelah and her husband came to the U.S. from Syria in 2016. She first taught herself how to crochet and macrame by watching YouTube videos and later learned how to make candles, soap and jewelry.
Check out their Instagram page!
Phone: 314-701-1044
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Originally from Africa, Nuka Anue started selling products out of her apartment in 2003 and now has two storefronts in the St. Louis area. African Naturals sells organic, natural, and non-GMO supplements, personal care, aromatherapy, and more.
Visit their website!
4511 S Kingshighway
St. Louis, MO 63109
Phone: 314-335-7995
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Owner Nasrullah Hazrat Shah and his family arrived in the U.S. as refugees in 2004. IISTL resettled the family and helped Nasrullah find employment. Through his hard work, Nasrullah was able to buy the supermarket in 2015 which provides cultural food items to St. Louisans. From fresh bread to halal meat and items local to Iraq, the market truly has something for everyone.
Visit their website!
3730 S Grand Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63118
Phone: (314) 762-9933
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Ghaidaa Crochet & Crafts was recently a vendor at IISTL’s Community Bazaar and owner Ghaida Al Masrabi was recently featured in Feast Magazine as a member of Welcome Neighbor STL’s Supper Club Program. You can purchase hats, scarves, macrame decor, and more from their Facebook page or at local farmers markets!
Check out their Facebook page!
314-930-0139
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Illari Peru sells handcrafted Peruvian products by various artisans. They have been featured multiple times as a vendor at the Festival of Nations and Community Bazaar.
Check out their Facebook page!
Phone: 314-226-2459
Email: illari.ventas@gmail.com
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Jenna Salim left her family in Iraq to move to the U.S. and marry her husband in St. Louis. She has always had an appreciation for art and channels that passion into selling handmade pieces. You can purchase decor for birthday parties, home decor for Ramadan and more!
Check out their Facebook page!
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Founded by Hamdullah Hamdard, Owlison Pictures specializes in video production. They primarily work with businesses to create marketing materials and bring visions to life.
Check out their LinkedIn page!
Phone: 314-827-1821
Email: hello@owlsion.com
*In 2023, Hamdullah Hamdard was a recipient of IISTL’s Afghan Community Entrepreneurship Fund. The fund was created to assist refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan to start, strengthen and expand their businesses.
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Raza Auto Sales & Repair is family owned and specializes in used car sales across numerous brands.
Visit their website!
3750 Bates St.
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: 314-499-7011
Email: razahassani8391@gmail.com
*Owner Raza Hassani was the first recipient of IISTL’s Afghan Community Entrepreneurship Fund. The fund was created to assist refugees and immigrants from Afghanistan to start, strengthen and expand their businesses. The business has also received assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
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Owner Ahmad Alfalah is committed to bringing African culture to St. Louis. With a large variety of snacks, skin care products, and international foods, stop in to try flavors from around the world.
Visit their website!
8430 Olive Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone: 314-994-0229
*This business has received technical or financial assistance through the IICDC. Learn more here.
*This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Please contact Sophia Donis at doniss@iistl.org if you have suggestions on additional businesses to be included.