DEARBORN — The Arab American community lost one of its greatest pioneers last week, when Riad Saad Shatila, 68, founder of Shatila Bakery, passed away on Friday, September 6, after a long battle with throat cancer.

Shatila Bakery has been Dearborn’s pride and joy for decades now, introducing millions of Americans across the country to the sweet side of Arab tradition and culture, through its renowned signature Middle Eastern pastries and famous ice cream line. 

The story behind the success and expansion of the brand is perhaps the perfect example of how one man could immigrate to this country, on his own, and fulfill the lifelong goal of the “American dream.” 

When Shatila came to the U.S. in 1977, seeking to build a business, with nothing more than a high school education from Lebanon, he didn’t have a set plan in place. He did, however, have a passion and love for Middle Eastern sweets and saw an opportunity to bring that into a fairly new and developing Arab American community in Dearborn.

While Middle Eastern pastries had already been quietly introduced in the U.S., Shatila took a unique approach with his own pastries. It wasn’t just his superb ingredients that helped make baklava a permanent fixture in Dearborn, but it was also due to their unique presentation.  At the time, it was common for baklava to be sold by the pound, but Shatila hit a home run by introducing the baklava on trays, which allowed his products to be shipped across the country and refrigerated for longer lasting quality.

But mastering his signature sweets didn’t come easy. Shatila was a perfectionist, and the road to success came with plenty of challenges. Years of trial and error, experimenting and dedication, is ultimately what led to the Shatila Bakery that we are all familiar with today.

Nada Shatila, 24, his oldest daughter, recalls the early days of her father’s company. 

Riad Shatila, with daughters Nada, Tanya and Batoul.

“He would bring pastries home that he wanted us to taste, so we could tell him if they were good enough. He was a perfectionist with his sweets, and he would go through a bunch of different trials. We were always involved from day one, even as kids,” Nada says.

Earlier in 1984, Shatila was able to establish a large location for his bakery on Schaefer Rd, after he had opened a smaller shop on Warren Ave. a few years earlier. Through word of mouth, his bakery produced some of the most desired sweets. Along with his signature baklava trays, other items, including French cakes, kunafah and mamoul, quickly became fixtures in Arab American households, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, when foot traffic at his bakery would significantly rise.

Shipping also became another major component of his company, as his products worked their way across the country and found a large customer base with non-Arabs as well.  Through shipping, baklava soon became a hot commodity, especially during the holiday season. Today, the company ships all over the world, including areas in the Middle East and Africa. 

Riad Shatila, with his wife Zeinat.

But, even with his increased success, Shatila remained a humble family man, who had a tendency to employ relatives and locals who needed a job. Safi Taha, a relative who managed the retail store and product shipping, recalls Shatila’s humble and generous ways; a precedent that he says was set among his entire staff. 

“When I came to this country, he was the first one to give me a job. He was very humble, down to earth and welcoming to everyone. He was always around his employees and listening to them. In the end, he was a person that was dedicated to his work and family. He shot straight for the goals. I always say that he is a self-made man,” Taha says.

It wasn’t until well after his bakery had already been established that Shatila accomplished his proudest moment:  The introduction of his rich flavored ice cream line to his customer base in the late 90s. With 11 flavors introduced to the market, including chocolate, mango and kashta, the ice cream line became an instant success, with his pistachio flavor becoming one of the company’s signature products.

With the expansion of his products came the expansion of his location. Shatila Bakery moved to a larger facility, currently located at 14300 W. Warren Ave, in 2003. However, despite the growing success of his vision, Shatila unfortunately had a personal battle to confront. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer and had a procedure to remove his voice box, making the quiet man even more silent.

“He fought his illness for over ten years, but he was a great fighter. He was always challenging his illness; never wanting to have a weak point. He remained on top of everything. He was a silent maker.  He accomplished so much with his silence,” Taha adds.

Even while he suffered, Shatila gave back to communities in various ways. He would make weekly donations to mosques, churches, hospitals and cancer societies. Sadly, after years of standing in remission, his cancer came back in 2012. Shatila spent the last year of his life preparing and training his family to take over his company. 

“Without a doubt, we’re going to keep it going better than ever. That was my dad’s wish; ever since we were kids. He trusted me and wanted me to be strong; and wanted us to keep Shatila going more than anything. It’s his memory and legacy,” Nada adds.

Before his burial at the Islamic Memorial Gardens in Westland, a funeral service was held for Shatila at the Islamic Center of America on Saturday, September 7. Osama Siblani, friend of Shatila’s and publisher of The Arab American News, delivered his eulogy.

“Riad Shatila touched the lives of so many people, coast-to-coast, one way or another. He made us proud and respected. When you say ‘Dearborn’ anywhere in the U.S., people will always affiliate it with Shatila sweets. He was a silent warrior, who made a significant impact on our City, our culture and our religion. Riad Shatila set a new standard of excellence,” Siblani said.

Shatila is survived by his wife, Zeinat Shatila, and children Nada, Tanya and Batoul.