TUCKER, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – If you’re looking for a cup of coffee with a story, Mint Coffeehouse might be the place for you.
“I take plain, chocolate or almond croissants,” said Marianna Alzoukani, manager of Mint Coffeehouse.
Mint Coffeehouse is a new meeting place in the city; after serving as a food truck for the past few years, the company’s first brick-and-mortar location has now opened.
“If you work hard, you can achieve your dream. In other countries, even if you work hard, it doesn’t make much difference,” said Ahmad Alzoukani of Mint Coffeehouse.
The decoration in the shop comes entirely from Syria and contains parts of the shop owner’s life.
“Even if you move away from your home country for 10, 15 or 20 years, you still have memories and family there. You need something in your home to remind you of that. It’s part of life. It’s not just culture,” Ahmad said.
He emigrated from Syria to better his life and says he eventually met his wife here in America over a cup of coffee. He started working at a coffee shop and realized he wanted his own. Mint Coffeehouse was born.
“We had a lot of support from friends and neighbors,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad and his wife, Marianna, built their business together. Although they have accomplished a lot as a couple, Marianna tells me she is constantly reminded of how far her husband has come: from not being able to speak English to starting a family, building a business and achieving his own American dream.
“No idea how our systems or our businesses and things work, and then to get to where he is today. It’s unbelievable,” Marianna said.
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