Dear Friends,
My name is Ali Ghambari. I would like to tell you about where I came from and where I am at this moment of existence, in the sense of spirituality and worldly understanding.
I am originally from Iran and came to the U.S. in 1979. I was born in 1959, so I have spent most of my adulthood in the US. I am proud to be Iranian American – proud because I have a deep sense of love for my family, community, my city and Iran.
Being born within a Muslim family, I learned this simple lesson about Islam: The Koran, the holy book, has 113 verses, and before you read any of the verses you have to say, “With the name of God, the most merciful, the compassionate.” So I am trying hard to realize this because it is the key to the garden of love and understanding that is called Islam. Now that I know what love is, I can be anything. I am excited about life because I feel all the people that I love are standing with me, even the ones I do not know.
Now, about Cherry Street: I have been in the restaurant business since 1980. In 1985, I joined with B&O Espresso, for which I have great love. I opened the Cherry Street Coffee House in Pioneer Square in 1994, and opened another store in Belltown on 1st and Lenora four years later. In 2004, I hooked up with my customer, friend, business partner and brother, Greg Smith. We are part of the same blueprint of goodness. With him on my side, believing in the same sense of love for our community, we have expanded to five locations.
For me, Cherry Street is a loving home that has great coffee and food.
Thank you for being part of my life,
Ali Ghambari
