Somali markets expand in area
By Britt Johnsen • August 11, 2009
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bljohnsen@stcloudtimes.com
A new Somali-owned market and community center has opened under ownership familiar to the St. Cloud area, and despite the recession, its new owner is confident it will thrive.
Hared Jibril opened Hormud Meat-Grocery Market Inc. in late July at 3360 Division Street W. He used to own 33rd Meat & Grocery Store, until he recently turned ownership over to a man named Ali Awal.
St. Cloud’s sixth Somali-owned grocery store sits near Bonanza restaurant on Division Street. On a recent morning, the store was empty as Jibril swept the floor near the cash register.
He said business has been slow since he opened, but he thinks the store offers a number of unique features — including an area where people can use the Internet. Five computers will be installed this week, Jibril said, and he plans to add five more.
He also offers a cafe that he predicts many people will use to feast on beef sandwiches and coffee after the Muslim holiday, Ramadan. Most of the St. Cloud Somali population is Muslim. Ramadan begins in late August and ends around Sept. 20.
Employment improving
Somali refugees left their war-torn country and came to the St. Cloud area beginning in the 1990s. They originally came here because of entry-level manufacturing jobs and positive word-of-mouth from university students.
But the recession took its toll on many businesses, including those owned by Somalis, many of whom last year and this year lost hours or jobs at manufacturing plants. The manufacturing industry has been among those hardest hit as unemployment climbed as high as 9.8 percent in Stearns and Benton counties this winter.
Mohamoud Mohamed is a frequent spokesman for the Somali community in St. Cloud. He is also leader of the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization. He talks to Somali and African refugees as they come to or leave St. Cloud.
Mohamed said the employment situation for the Somali population is getting better as places such as Electrolux are beginning to hire again.
