How an Afghan supermarket chain in Hamilton is helping newcomers find work
CBC
After immigrating from Pakistan to Toronto in July 2001 in hopes of building a better life and future, Mirways Babakarkhail worked odd jobs at factories and moving companies.
But his visits to friends who lived in Hamilton and worked in Jackson Square mall changed the Afghan man's life.
People came up to him and asked, "'Can you bring traditional Afghan rice and bread for me,'" Babakarkhail said.
"So I started — one day, two day, three days a week — to bring food for them to help them."
In September 2005, Babakarkhail took a chance and opened a small store in the city's core — Samir Supermarket, a 1,000-square-foot grocery location named after his son that sold a range of traditional Asian groceries.
His intuition paid off. The shop was a success and he moved it to its current location in Stoney Creek.
Seeing increased demand and a growing Afghan community, Babakarkhail eventually opened a store on the Mountain and another in Burlington, Ont.
Last week, he marked the opening of his fourth shop — just in time for the end of Ramadan and for Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Wednesday.
Babakarkhail said it gets very busy this time of year, adding that many shoppers buy up all the sweets and dried foods.
The new 15,000--square-foot location is nestled in the city's downtown area at 20 George St., just blocks from Jackson Square.
It's a nod to the chain's humble beginnings, and has a halal butcher to offer customers custom cuts of meat and Samir-branded items like authentic imported rice.
Babakarkhail — who also runs a separate Samir Kabab business — said a downtown store was needed because "a lot of our communities are here and most of them do not have a car."
Along the way, Babakarkhail brought on Mohammad Asghar as a co-owner to help expand the business.
Asghar said he met Babakarkhail at Samir's.
