‘Iconic institution’ Halal Meat Centre for sale

Formally, Manitoba’s oldest halal shop is called Halal Meat Centre. But to many in the Muslim community, the outdoor sign could just as easily read “Yusuf’s.”

Until now.

After 36 years, owners Yusuf and Roshanara Abdulrehman are retiring. The 206 Maryland St. building and turnkey business are listed for $795,000.

“I’m here every day … I don’t take any day off,” Yusuf said. “It’s about time. I should let it go, let somebody else enjoy and benefit this place that I’ve been enjoying and benefiting.”

He declined to share his age.

He’s planning to relax, he said, and then start a new venture — perhaps in sales. After all, he has the “same spirit” as when he launched his store, during a time of sparse halal options in Winnipeg.

Such foods are prepared under Qur’an guidelines. For example, they can’t have alcohol or traces of pork, including gelatin.

Sana Mahboob beelines to the baklava. Her parents introduced her to the shop as a child, after her family immigrated from Pakistan.

“It made you feel at home in a new country,” she said. “You’d walk in, you’re greeted with the aroma of fresh snacks and sweets and spices.”

And a smile from Uncle Yusuf, Mahboob added.

It was a shock for her to learn — upon becoming an adult and individual customer — that the place wasn’t called “Uncle Yusuf’s store” or “Yusuf’s,” like her parents said.

She’s gone for prayer beads, samosa-style bites and advice.

Advice was on offer Monday afternoon: a customer sat in a chair near the check-out counter; a staff member leaned over to confirm, “OK, so you want to make yellow custard?”

Halal Meat Centre became a site of backroom weddings, among other local community-building initiatives.

“My father and my mother were kind of pillars in there, without them intending to make social change. They just wanted to do good things by people,” said Rehman Abdulrehman, one of Yusuf and Roshanara’s three children.

“(It’s) recognizing that sometimes taking care of just yourself doesn’t always get you ahead and that the best way to move ahead is together as a community.”

Yusuf estimates his shop has seen 10 to 12 weddings. Customers would ask if he knew someone that officiates (he does). When money was tight, couples would tie the knot in a room inside his office.

His favourite part of store ownership is “everything,” while, simultaneously, each customer interaction is the greatest challenge.

“It’s a challenge for you to make him happy, to make sure he finds what he’s looking for and he walks out of the store satisfied,” said Yusuf, who speaks at least seven languages. “Then the word of mouth goes around.”

The shop hasn’t been without struggle: after the 9/11 terror attacks in the U.S. in 2001, a Canadian Security Intelligence Service vehicle was parked nearby and the family faced increased racism, Rehman said. There have been break-ins and violent threats.

The site now competes with big-box retailers who’ve increased their halal options, Yusuf added.

Still, there are regular walk-in customers and a swath of businesses — restaurants, wedding venues — who tap Halal Meat Centre for food. As Canada’s population has diversified, so has the shop’s customer base, the Abdulrehmans said.

The three sons have medical backgrounds and established careers.

North Atlas Commercial Real Estate is handling the sale. It listed the property and business on Friday, according to Jonah Levine, a partner.

“It’s sort of a classic Winnipeg, classic Canadian story where (Yusuf) started this business and he and his family really put a lot of effort in,” Levine said. “It’s an iconic institution.”

Mian Hameed, president of the Manitoba Muslim Seniors Association, noted Winnipeg now has several halal stores. The Maryland hub offers a range from many countries, he said.

(Yusuf had listed Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, among others.)

Mahboob said the Abdulrehmans’ ownership “will be missed.”

“But it’s … a happy retirement,” she said. “They have done so much for the community that this is such a well-earned, well-deserved retirement.”

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com