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 was raised in a loving family that has led me to be truly thankful for where I’ve come from. I love being an American based on this great love that I have received and actively worked towards. One way I contribute to this love is by cherry street coffee house and founding Seattle’s IACA - the Iranian-American Community Alliance in order to promote unity, diversity and great community. 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.
About Cherry Street: I have been in the restaurant business since 1980. In 1985, I joined with B&O Espresso, for whom I have great love. I opened the Cherry Street Coffee House in Pioneer Square in 1992, 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 by my side, believing in the same sense of love for our communities, we have expanded to five locations.
For me, Cherry Street is a loving home that has great coffee and food - but that is not all. Cherry Street is all about building love and community - without that sense of love and excitement there is nothing to motivate us in this world. "You can wait nearly a whole year to harvest fruit from your tree, or by practicing loving, good morning you can bring happiness to your community and pick sweet fruit everyday."
Ali Ghambari
