The Bearded Baristaa

From his earliest memories, Khaled Alfas was deeply entrenched in the family trade, surrounded by the rich aroma of roasted Lebanese coffee beans and the subtle crunch of assorted nuts. The Alfas family had built their reputation around wholesaling these products, and Khaled, like a sponge, absorbed all the intricate details of the trade as he grew up.

Upon completing his education, Khaled took a different path, exploring new opportunities beyond the confines of the family business. However, life has a way of bringing us back to our beginnings. The onset of the global pandemic was a tumultuous period for many, but for Khaled, it served as a catalyst, nudging him towards reconnecting with his ancestral trade.

However, Khaled wasn't merely content with retracing his family's footsteps. He saw an opportunity to innovate and pivot the traditional model. Instead of focusing on the wholesale side, which had been the family's mainstay for years, Khaled saw potential in the retail market. It was during these challenging pandemic times that he, alongside his enterprising business partner, John, sought out a prime location. They secured a rental space, and soon after, 'The Bearded Baristaa' was born. This cozy 11-table café not only became a haven for coffee lovers but also catered to the on-the-go crowd with its takeaway coffee options.