Walk into Heba's Health Foods & Elwazeer Market, and you’ll know you’ve stepped into a community meeting place. With the owner, Ebram Ibrahem, often working the counter, he greets his regular customers by name. And as you shop, you might see friends sitting down to eat some of the delicious takeout they offer (the falafel comes highly recommended!).
And behind the scenes, the owner has big plans for expansion, while keeping that local feel that’s so important in a grocery store. Because he knows he’s offering more than just a grocery store – it’s a place for the community where you can find food you probably can’t find in a national chain grocery store. Plus, he offers healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food for people to take home.
As Ebram looks to expand throughout Virginia, Maryland and beyond, his Atlantic Union Bank Relationship Manager, Paul Reilly, is with him every step of the way. They met when, after a bad experience at a former bank, Ebram’s accountant, Michael, introduced them. Ebram was looking for a bank where his business would be a priority, and that’s just what he found with Atlantic Union Bank and Paul. As Ebram says, “it’s more than a business relationship – it feels like a partnership. Paul is always available, supportive and treats us like part of the Atlantic Union Bank family.” That personal connection has helped him expand his business to a second and third location. And he’s got big plans for future expansions as well! Talk to him for a few minutes and you’ll hear how he plans to open new locations throughout the United States.
Paul has helped Ebram with mortgages for his retail locations, SBA loans and more. When the time came to grow, the SBA 7(a) loan that Paul helped him secure allowed Ebram to expand the kitchen, hire more staff and upgrade equipment. With that expansion, he was able to get his food stocked in other stores throughout the area, and start selling some products online.
Community is a big thing for Ebram. That’s why his store supports local events and donates food to shelters. He strives for his stores to be a hub for those in the community, a place where everyone is welcome because customers can feel the love in the food.