Lebanese Cuisine Closes In Food Court

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Lebanese Cuisine lunch stand in the food court of the 20 Federal Place building, downtown, closed Wednesday after nine years at the location.

Ibrahim Jafar, the owner and operator, blamed the decision on a sharp decline in business since the pandemic began. The food court was closed for a few months in 2020, but never fully rebounded after reopening, he said.

Jafar said he plans to reopen, preferably in Boardman, and is currently looking for a location.
Lebanese Cuisine served Middle Eastern specialties and had a loyal following of customers. Many of them stopped by Wednesday to say goodbye to Jafar, who was at the stand every weekday.

The food court has been become emptier over the past year. The Mocha Boca coffee shop closed last week, a Pizza Joe’s location closed in December, and Fresh to Deaf, a salad and smoothies stand, closed in early 2021.

The food court now has just three businesses: Capitol Grill, Top-Notch Meals and a Subway franchise.
But a pizza shop is on the way.

Hachem Jafar, owner of Capitol Grill, said he will open a pizza shop in the coming weeks at the site of the former Pizza Joe’s.

Pictured: Ibrahim Jafar stands behind the counter in his now-closed business, Lebanese Cuisine, in the 20 Federal Place food court.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.