North Olmsted has seen a growing Arab community in recent years, with over a dozen businesses owned by Arabs lining the same stretch of road. Among these businesses is Fire and Dough, owned and operated by Nizam Suliman. As the owner and chef, Suliman takes pride in serving fresh halal meat that is prepared daily using his own recipes and spices.
Suliman originally hails from the Middle East and has been cooking since he was just 13 years old. In 2013, he arrived in Cleveland and was able to realize his dream of starting his own business on October 10, 2023. However, just days after opening, the Israel-Hamas war erupted, casting a shadow over his grand opening plans.
Despite the challenges posed by the war, Suliman remains grateful to the North Olmsted community for their support. The war has had a direct impact on his business, with many Palestinians in the area mourning the loss of loved ones and feeling a sense of unease about gathering in public places. Despite these challenges, Suliman remains hopeful that peace will prevail not only in his home country but also in the world at large.
Suliman encourages his workers to remain positive and believes that better days are ahead for all those affected by the conflict. His hope is that one day, peace will reign supreme, and everyone will be able to come together in harmony without fear or prejudice.
