DEARBORN — Any visitor strolling by some of Dearborn’s local businesses on any given afternoon during the month of Ramadan might feel like they have entered a ghost town. What they might not realize however is that they may have just come at the wrong time. 

Bakeries such as Shatila in Dearborn on Warren Avenue usually see a large increase in sales during Ramadan, but some restaurants see a drop in sales. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/American Elite Studios

For years now, Ramadan has affected Dearborn’s businesses in different ways. These drastic changes include completely changing the hours of operation for some places or adjusting the menus and specials for others. Most would agree, however, that the changes aren’t actually a bad thing.

“We get more business during Ramadan because when it’s time to break fast, the restaurant is packed,” said Mohamed Haidar, manager of Famous Hamburger on Schaefer Rd. 

Famous Hamburger is just one of many restaurants that has made the adjustment, which includes changing its hours of operation; the restaurant will not open on weekdays until 5 p.m. and will stay open until as late as 3 a.m. on weekends. 

To encourage heavier traffic, the restaurant will also offer a buffet special during iftar.  

“It’s a great way to keep the traditions going outside of the house,” added Haidar; his restaurant’s buffet special will include traditional iftar foods such as soup, salad, rice, lamb and baked chicken. “Not everyone is going to be eating at home every single day,” he added.

Famous Hamburger is just an example of one of many restaurants around Dearborn that will be offering such specials. Other restaurants doing similar things include Habib’s Cuisine, Al Ajami, LaPita and Deliziosa.

“So far business has been very consistent,” said Hassan Awada, owner of Deliziosa, a Mediterranean and Italian Bistro located off of Michigan Ave in downtown Dearborn. “We are even doing plenty of catering for the month,” he added. “But most of our focus is on our customers who are dining in.”

The restaurant will be having a family special for the entire month. The special will include breadsticks and pasta amongst the traditional iftar foods of soup, salad and their popular almond chicken. Deliziosa is one of few restaurants that has not changed its schedule for Ramadan, opening its doors at 11 a.m. and closing before midnight. However, they are willing to stay open later if traffic is still busy.

“It all depends on the day. We get a huge rush for iftar and as long as they are there, we keep our doors open,” Awada added. 

Another restaurant, LA Express, also located on Michigan Ave in downtown Dearborn, will stay open during the day, despite the slower traffic inside the restaurant during lunch.  

“We are obviously very slow during the day now,” said Souheil Johair, manager of the restaurant. “But it’s really hard to tell how much of an effect it has on the business,” he added. “When night time hits, we are packed.”

Not only is LA Express sticking to its normal hours of operation during the day and evening, but the restaurant will re-open its doors at night for suhoor on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

Suhoor has become a big part of the Ramadan tradition for businesses in Dearborn. Bakeries such as Golden Bakery and the New Yasmeen Bakery will be open 24 hours for the entire month of Ramadan for those looking to get a last minute meal before sunrise. 

Even nontraditional places such as lounges that only offer hookah will keep their doors open into the wee hours. 

Vanilla Lounge, the new hookah lounge located off of Ford Rd and Mercury Drive, will stay open until 4 a.m. for those looking to catch a smoke break before or after they have their suhoor. So far however, the results have been gloomy for the usually busy business.

“We have had very little traffic the first few days,” said Adnan, the owner of Vanilla Lounge, who is doing a trial run by extending the lounge’s hours during the month. “I hope as the month goes on, more people will start coming in,” he added.

Vanilla Lounge isn’t the only business getting the short end of the stick. Other hookah lounges such as Midnight Express on Greenfield, Lava Java off of Ford Rd, and Cloud 9 on Warren Ave have completely shut their doors in the morning and afternoons, only opening in the evenings hoping to attract customers who aren’t looking to eat.

“Ramadan is tough on the hookah business because it’s all about the food,” added Haidar, whose Famous Hamburger is one of the few in Dearborn that offers both food and hookah due to a separate entrance inside of the restaurant. “Luckily for us, as soon as people are done eating, they can move over into the hookah area,” he added. 

One business that’s always a sure-fire hit during the month of Ramadan is Shatila Bakery. The Warren location has become known for its heavy foot traffic around iftar time, for those looking to have sweets and pastries after their dinner. However, Shatila isn’t only focusing on its high demand around the Dearborn area. 

“Every year during Ramadan we get the greatest business from shipping,” said Tanya Shatila, who works for her family’s business at the Shatila offices. “As the Eid gets closer, we get endless amounts of orders that have to be delivered around the entire country,” she added. 

Shatila’s hours will only be slightly altered during the month, remaining open until midnight on weekdays and closing at 1 a.m. on weekends.