Build Abadir's Alabama Black Belt Eatery

Donations are being accepted on my Give Butter

Hello. I am Sarah Cole, an Alabama Black Belt native who moved back South with a mission. In October 2020, after many years of dreaming, I started Abadir's, a one-woman pop-up eatery that travels throughout the state with a menu that's somewhat different for this rural area. Tying together my Egyptian-Southern roots, I'm working to provide more wholesome, globally influenced foods to a heavily underserved community. All dishes are created with taste and nutrition in mind. We have received an overwhelming amount of support since opening, earning national attention from various publications . The thought of an Arab influenced eatery opening in rural Alabama is somewhat intriguing and confusing to many people. We're constantly asked why we don't do something like this in a larger city. See, the Black Belt is my home, and it's time that we start paying attention to this historically important area.

"Abadir" is a family name, the name my mom and her siblings changed when moving from Egypt to the United States in 1982 as a way to hide their ethnicity in the South. It's a name I've always loved, and a way for me to honor and provide a space for my immigrant family.

 

Life in the Black Belt + Our Vision

The Alabama Black Belt is one of the poorest regions in the country . With limited access to crucial resources (jobs, food, housing, etc.), this area has seen a great migration out over the past several years while other areas in Alabama continue to see growth . Rather than leaving, Abadir's is working to reshape the area through food.

 

We recently received an offer to purchase a building in downtown Greensboro that will serve as the future restaurant for Abadir's. This expansion will give us an opportunity to expand our menu, providing more meals to our community, all while creating more jobs for the area. We're dedicated to making this a mission driven eatery, one that works to ensure everyone has a seat at the table through a "pay-it-forward" payment system, which will be open globally, as well as $5 meal options for those on fixed income. Both options will be available in addition to our regular seasonal menu. This battle for inclusivity helps break down the barriers of class divide that exist within all communities. 

 

But there's more to it. In addition to establishing a more wholesome restaurant in this rural food desert and providing more creative jobs with better pay, we're highlighting our agricultural roots by working with our local farmers and producers to create a seasonal, fresh plant-based menu.

 

We'll continue doing pop-ups across the state with our expansion, and we'll begin offering grab-n-go meal options in addition to our weekly menu.

 

During off hours, Abadir's will rent the space to Black Belt Food Project , a local 501c3 nonprofit organization working to build a stronger, more inclusive community by creating greater opportunity for all individuals through food-based educational programming.

 

Abadir's will operate as a for-profit subsidiary of BBFP.

 

Outsiders have this idea about what sort of people exist in the Alabama Black Belt based on our limitations, but this area is ripe with history and culture. The fact that our small business has grown so much in its first two years shows just how much our community wants to flourish.

 

How you can help

I, along with my partner Robert, are actively working on the future space. Until we can purchase the entire building, Abadir's will operate out of the North side of the property, which is currently divided into a duplex. We're doing all current renovations ourselves, which has been a battle when balancing our own businesses. I am asking for support in hopes of making the dream space a reality. Here's what your donation will support:

· the purchase of the property in downtown Greensboro

· the kitchen buildout for Abadir's and BBFP

· hiring a staff

· purchasing equipment for the space

· assisting with fees and licenses that come with starting up a restaurant

You're also supporting a woman- and minority-owned mission-driven business. More importantly, your donation will help create greater opportunity for this area, which will ultimately inspire our community to embrace our full potential as the Black Belt.

 

We're growing so much faster than we had anticipated, all thanks to the continuous support of our followers and patrons. Please consider donating to our mission-driven eatery. Your support will truly have a positive impact on this area.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ABADIR'S: www.eatabadirs.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT BBFP: www.blackbeltfoodproject.org

Follow us on social: @eatabadirs

Abadir’s is a FOR PROFIT business. Donations are not tax deductible. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, you can do so with Black Belt Food Project. Donations to BBFP go toward general operating costs, but will not support the buildout of this space.