Yamama, a popular Middle Eastern café and kitchen in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, is set to close its current location on Sunday, August 2, but will reopen in September at a new site within a 10-minute walk. Co-owners Noura and Futoon Qusairy view the relocation as a positive step forward.
Sisters' Journey from Jordan to Liverpool
Futoon and Noura Qusairy originally moved from Irbid, Jordan, to study in Liverpool, drawn by their family's love of Liverpool Football Club. Noura earned a Master's in Project Management at the University of Liverpool, while Futoon holds a Master's in Fashion and Art Direction. After graduating, they founded Yamama, which has operated on Parliament Street for several years.
Challenges and Opportunities
Futoon, 32, told the Liverpool Echo: "To be honest, we've been through a lot since we opened. We’ve had a few building issues, and it’s not the landlord’s fault, but it has been a difficult situation. We see this as an opportunity to move on. It's a great chance for us to grow, expand and relocate to a busier area. It really does feel like a blessing in disguise."
The sisters have built a loyal customer base, with Futoon noting, "Every weekend we look around the café and see the same familiar faces coming back, which we absolutely love. So many people have already told us they'll continue to support us in the new location."
Community Roots and Creative Hub
Yamama originally began as an artistic business supporting refugees in Liverpool, inspired by the sisters' work in refugee camps in Jordan. They collaborated with artisans to produce sustainable fashion and art before shifting focus to food and drink while maintaining a creative venue. The café serves Middle Eastern-inspired dishes and drinks and hosts artists who work with the sisters. The name Yamama, an Arabic word for a dove found in the region, symbolizes love, freedom, and peace.
Futoon explained: "For us, Liverpool gave us a lot, and now it feels like home. We wanted this space to feel like home for everyone who comes in." Noura first moved to Liverpool in 2015, followed by Futoon for her Master's. The sisters aim to provide a sense of belonging for others, mirroring the support they received. Futoon added: "We're trying to offer the same thing to the city that the city offered to us. It's very diverse, we made friends from all over the world... Everyone is welcome, we want everyone to feel at home."
Farewell Party and Future Plans
To thank customers, the sisters are hosting a goodbye party on Friday, July 31, with free food. The final day at the current café is August 2, followed by about a month of renovations at the new premises, aiming for a September reopening. Futoon said: "Most of our regulars already travel to visit us, so moving won't be an issue for them. Even people who live nearby are happy because we'll only be around 10 to 15 minutes away."
Futoon also expressed gratitude to the Liverpool Echo: "The first time we were featured, about three years ago, it made a massive difference to our business. We started seeing more customers, and even today people still come in and tell us they first heard about us through the Echo. It really means a lot, and we're incredibly grateful for all the support."
