Published June 20, 2024
By Lauren Lawley Head – Contributor to Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal
Abdirahman Kahin, owner and CEO of Twin Cities-based Afro Deli & Grill, knew he wanted to build a business in his neighborhood and be part of the power of community, both in giving to and receiving from the people he lived and worked alongside.
In 2009, he realized his ambition when he opened a coffee shop. Along with delicious coffee, Kahin sold East African pastries, representing the continent of his birth. As his customer base grew, so did the requests for more East African food options.
“We only had a few items,” Kahin said. “People were asking for real food, not just snacks. That’s when I decided to open a restaurant.”
He worked with a few chefs from his community and created an African menu. Afro Deli & Grill, as Minnesotans know it today, began to take shape.
“The food is not from just one country,” Kahin said. “The menu is more Pan-African. It’s about 30-40% East African, but we also have some western and northern items (West and North of Africa). The idea was to introduce Minnesota to the taste of African food.”
Kahin’s first restaurant was near the University of Minnesota campus, where he discovered students made fantastic ambassadors because they liked trying new foods. He introduced students to his African menu, explaining all the fresh ingredients and preparation styles. Then he hired some of them and they explained African food to other students. They brought their friends and families into the restaurant, and soon, there was a long line outside the 900-square-foot restaurant.
Afro Deli & Grill needed more space to serve its growing customer base. In 2017, Kahin began looking for a local bank to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. He chose Highland Bank, an SBA Preferred Lender, meaning the bank has the ability to approve in-house loan requests, which can result in faster approval times and shortened processing times for SBA loans. It also works with the city of Minneapolis on other low-interest loan programs.
“We paid off that initial loan and kept the relationship,” Kahin said. “We have a positive relationship with Highland.”
The feeling is mutual, said Highland Bank Vice President and Commercial Banker Joe Veliz.
“Seeing his passion to bring his culture out with food is awesome,” Veliz said. “Every Tuesday and Wednesday, he delivers food to a local nonprofit. When you see people who want to help their community, it makes you want to help them.” Afro Deli partners with Second Harvest Heartland through their Kitchen Coalition program. They cover the cost of the food and Afro Deli cooks and distributes Monday through Friday to 500-600 vulnerable elders or people with disabilities.
When Covid-19 hit, Highland Bank stepped in again. Veliz said the bank helped Kahin secure PPP loans “so he could keep going forward in his mission of helping people and getting food to the community.”
“When Covid shut things down, we worked with Meals on Wheels and Second Harvest Heartland to provide meals to homeless people and health care workers who were working without meals,” Kahin said. “We provided about 1.5 million meals with Second Harvest Heartland and Meals on Wheels during and post-Covid.”
Afro Deli & Grill currently employs about 60 people at its four locations, plus another 25 just for the 12 days of the state fair. A fifth location is in the works.
Kahin’s efforts to serve his community have not gone unnoticed by people outside Minnesota. In 2023, he was chosen to receive the SBA Small Business Person of the Year Award, which recognizes entrepreneurs who “demonstrate exceptional leadership and create sustainable, thriving businesses in their communities.”
Kahin was welcomed to the White House by President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. Praising Kahin, Guzman said, “He pursued the American dream of business ownership — overcoming challenges, launching multiple food businesses, pivoting during Covid and lifting local neighborhoods along the way. He combines great ideas with hard work and diligence, and we are honored the SBA has been a part of his successful and ongoing journey.”
When asked about the award, Kahin characteristically gives credit to those around him. “I’m proud to be chosen,” he said. “I’m the face (of the business), but there are hundreds of people behind me who deserve this award.”
Kahin says the award increases his sense of responsibility to the entrepreneurs in his community, especially younger ones who are unaware of the resources available to help them. “It’s my responsibility to let them know about Highland’s SBA program and city money. It’s a service I can give to people.”
Kahin is in process of deciding the long-term future for Afro Deli & Grill. He has given himself two options: start a franchise model or continue to grow internally with a corporate home base. Either way, he remains committed to community-based influence.
“Neighbors meet in coffee shops and restaurants,” Kahin said. “You must appreciate those people for coming to your home and, when something happens, you open your heart, your doors.”
Learn more about how Highland Bank is making a big impact on small business success at highland.bank/business.
Afro Deli is a fusion restaurant that weaves together business, community, and culture. We are a social enterprise that offers freshly made African, Mediterranean, and American themed food in a fast, fun, and friendly environment.
