DEARBORN — The Arab American community lost a pioneer with the death of Riad Shatila, the founder of Shatila Bakery. But five months after his passing, the bakery is still flourishing, and it witnessed a successful holiday season under the management of the Shatila family.

Shatila’s widow Zeinat is now the president of the company, while his daughters Tanya and Nada share the vice presidency. Together they run the daily operations of the business.

Shatila passed away on Sept. 6, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. He immigrated to the United States in 1977 and established the bakery in a small shop on Warren Avenue in 1979, before moving to a bigger location on Schaefer Road in 1984. The bakery ultimately moved to its current location at 14300 W. Warren Ave in 2003. 

Riad Shatila’s photo, surronded by awards his bakery received, displayed on a wall at Shatila Bakery on Warren Ave. PHOTO: Ali Harb/TAAN

Shatila made all his products from scratch. He also revolutionized the way Middle Eastern pastries are presented by selling baklava and other sweets on trays, which allowed the products to be shipped across the country and refrigerated for longer lasting quality. By shipping sweets all over the nation, Shatila made Arab desserts a familiar taste to thousands of Americans outside Metro Detroit. 

Shatila’s ice creams and French pastries were featured in national magazines, portraying the Arab American community in a positive spotlight, as opposed to the typical media scrutiny it has been used to.   

No major changes have been made in the way the company operates since Shatila’s death, and business has continued to prosper under the new leadership, according to Tanya. 

“But now there are many more responsibilities we have to share,” she said. “We have a lot more to deal with. He made all the decisions behind the scenes that people didn’t know about. We have to make those decisions now.”

Tanya said she misses her father and follows his example in handling daily tasks at the company. She added that Shatila trained her and her sister to manage the company in his late days.

“He prepared us well. He would bring us and tell us to remember whatever we see,” she said.

She added that she was technically ready for the job, “but mentally, it’s a lot to take in at once.”

Shatila’s sister, Amal, who is the manager of the Shatila Bakery shop, said she and the employees miss the perfection of the late owner.

“He used to check on the workers to make sure everything is fine. He used to check every detail. He wanted everything to be perfect,” said Amal of her late brother. “He used to thank everybody for their work. We all miss him.”

Amal added that all the employees are working hard to keep the bakery up to the standards set by its founder.

The Shatilas are not only looking to maintain the company Riad started.  In the years to come, they want to expand it to other locations inside and outside of Michigan. “He set the foundation for the company. He planted the tree, and it is time for us to grow it and protect it,” said Tanya.