Arab Americans increase their business presence in Detroit
By Natasha Dado and Samer Hijazi |
Attorney Helal Farhat and a business partner purchased the Frederick K. Sterns House on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit that is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The 10,000 square foot building features medieval architecture and was initially built as a house in 1902 for Frederick K. Sterns. Three nonprofits are already operating inside the building. PHOTO: Imad Mohamad/The Arab American News
DETROIT—Population loss, blight and increased crime rates make it difficult to keep businesses here thriving. Small Arab and Chaldean owned businesses have managed to stay open over the decades despite these challenges.
Arab Americans define themselves as having roots in one of the 22 Arabic-speaking countries, including, among others, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Palestine, Egypt, and the Gulf countries. Chaldean Americans find their origins in Iraq, however, as a result of speaking Aramaic in addition to Arabic, many do not consider themselves Arabs, while many do. The metro Detroit area boasts the most concentrated communities of Arabs and Chaldeans in the United States, and both groups have significant presences in the small business scene in Detroit.
Arab and Chaldean Americans own a majority of the city’s gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets, and they are expanding their business presence in the wake of Detroit’s bankruptcy.
Several are purchasing vacant buildings and transforming them into apartment and condo complexes. They are also renovating houses and renting them out, while others still are continuing to open small family businesses such as restaurants. It is clear these communities will play a crucial role in the city’s recovery.
“To say that now Arabs and Chaldeans are reinvesting or coming back into Detroit, they have always been there. There is no question about it… I do see a new resurgence of the city, so it is something very positive,” said Helal Farhat, a local Lebanese businessman and Dearborn attorney.
Last year Farhat and a business partner purchased the Frederick K. Sterns House on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. The house is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The 10,000-square-foot building, which features medieval architecture, was initially built as a house in 1902 for Frederick K. Sterns and later transformed into office space. Three nonprofits are already operating inside the building that used to house the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority. Farhat regards the bankruptcy as an opportunity to “clean up a lot of things” in the city.
