Owner of vandalized restaurant grateful to supporters
Isam Saed’s hands moved quickly as he took an order for the day’s special, got it to the kitchen and rang up the customer.
Tina Saed squeezed behind her husband in the small space between the kitchen wall and the counter to deliver a large tray of freshly made falafel and a generous portion of Lebanese chicken. This chain of action between the duo, seemingly second nature, had continued since the doors of the Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli in central Phoenix opened its doors Monday.
An interview with The Arizona Republic seemed unlikely as the line zigzagged around the store, spilling out the door and into the parking lot. At the first sign that the crowd might be dwindling, another car would pull up and add another three, four, five people.
“I’m sorry,” Isam Saed said. “I’ve got to take care of everyone first.”
The smell of freshly baked baklava and marinated lamb lingered and teased in the air outside. As they waited, the customers looked at the cracked windows that make up the large open front of the business.
The windows were why they were there.
Supporters flock to restaurant
The Saeds, owners of the decades-old restaurant near 16th Street and Earll Drive, said their windows were damaged Saturday by vandals for the second time since the presidential election. While the motives for the crimes remain unknown, the Saeds said they can’t afford the repairs.
This information was shared with a regular who had stopped by and saw the spiderweb cracks that had spread on the windows, newly decorated for the holidays. Upset, Marnee Burrus went home and made a post on Facebook for her friends to see. The word quickly spread in the community as her post was shared over and over again, along with her plea for people to stop by the business to show their support.
They listened — hundreds of them.
Mayor Greg Stanton joined the crowd at the start of the day to grab a box of baked goods for his staff and to deliver a personal message.
“I want a business, a small locally owned business, to feel as welcomed in our city and community as possible,” Stanton said to The Republic. “I wanted to send a message that is a value of Phoenix that we support everyone in our city from all different walks of life.”
He said he was proud to hear that Phoenix’s communities “came out in force” to help.
Phoenix police told The Republic that they plan to work with the Saeds on a police report and to determine if the incident was motivated by bias.
In the kitchen with her sleeves rolled up and and apron on, Carrie Bloomston, 44, chopped vegetables for the steady orders. She worked side-by-side with the Saeds, who before 9 a.m. were strangers.
Bloomston had initially planned to come for lunch with her friend, Karen Handleman. When they saw that the Saeds would have a larger turnout than usual, they offered up their time and service.
They came up with the “Love Special,” an order of pita, hummus, greek salad and babaganouj falafel, and put it on a sign. Handleman stood at the entrance to greet customers and to collect any donations in a jar.
“We just wanted to do something to show our love and support for the Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli,” Handleman said. “The line has been out the door all day. It just shows what a strong community we are.”
Bloomston admitted that she had teared up at one point while chopping vegetables. While she could have blamed the onions, she said she knew it was because she was overwhelmed with emotions.
“We’re just a part of the larger outpouring of love,” she said. “We’re not going to stand for this. We believe in the diversity and love in our community. That’s why we’ve come out in the light of day to show our faces and show our support.”
“This is an act of love against hate, love against fear, love against ignorance,” she said.
An attempt to ‘make a wrong a right’
As business hummed and strangers talked in line, Rick Pyle pulled up in his truck and quietly measured the front windows.
Pyle, owner of M&M Glass Co. in Phoenix, had decided to donate new windows to the bakery in an attempt to “make a wrong a right.”
Pointing at the web of cracks on the left window, he explained that a big rock had to be used to make such a big impact. It also appeared that the beam between the middle panels was struck, he said, leaving a fracture down the center.
“These people make a living making bread. They work hard,” Pyle said. “This to me is a travesty.”
Pyle said when he went to speak with Isam Saed, the bakery owner asked, “Who sent you?”
“The world,” Pyle said he responded, describing their exchange as of few words, but emotional.
“The only way we can beat this is by uniting, standing up and taking care of this. We have more resources than the person who did this. We have the ability to beat this and I’m going to do everything I can do,” Pyle said.
A special moment, and tears of joy
About 3 p.m., almost all at once, everything halted. A crowd formed outside, with many customers returning to the bakery for a special moment. They wanted to deliver a sign with how much money had been raised for the Saeds on a GoFundMe account.
Some suggested that the money be used to set up surveillance cameras in the area so that if trouble occurs again, it can be captured digitally.
By mid-afternoon Monday, the account had passed the $9,000 mark.
The Saeds were still at work inside, asking for more time to help customers who had traveled from all parts of the state. At last Isam Saed came outside with his hands up, first as a sign to show he had given in to the pressure, but then, to show shock.
“Oh my God,” he said, clasping his trembling hands. “I am overwhelmed. I thank you.”
Tears formed in his eyes as he struggled to express his thoughts when told how much had been raised.
“I come from the holy land of Jesus, where he teaches everyone about love. It’s present here today,” he said.
Saed said that no matter the motives behind the vandalism, he has been shown the power of the community.
“I don’t think there is hate in the world now because of the support that is seen here,” he said. “Love overcomes that.”