A mission-driven coffee chain focused on community impact is gearing up to open in Philadelphia’s Logan Square neighborhood.
Franchise owners Mahmood Islam and Samina Akbar will bring MOTW “Muslims of the World” Coffee & Pastries to 2101 Market Street.
Sajjad Shah created MOTW when Muslim hate was on the rise, first through an Instagram account featuring Muslim stories. The platform’s expansion paved the way for MOTW Coffee & Pastries, according to the cafe’s website.
“They started off as a charity and I’ve been following their charity for a while,” Akbar told What Now Philadelphia. “Then, I saw they were opening a coffee brand with the slogan ‘Coffee with a Purpose.’ It’s all about community and bringing everyone together and I thought it was really great.”
Beyond the mission, Akbar has a long-standing passion for baking and had always hoped to own a bakery or cafe. Once they learned franchising was an option, she and her husband decided to join the brand.
The cafe will follow the design of other MOTW locations, particularly in its coffee bar layout. MOTW currently operates more than a dozen shops across the United States. Still, the pair will have room to add their own flair.
“We added our own touch to the artwork and other things to the interior. I’m very excited for people to come and see it because we put a lot of thought and effort into it,” Akbar said.
The menu includes classic coffee and espresso drinks, including the popular Biscoff latte. Matcha options, such as the strawberry matcha, are also available, along with tea, specialty refreshers and Yemeni chai.
For food lovers, the cafe offers empanadas, milk cakes in flavors like pistachio, Biscoff and caramel, as well as muffins and pastries.
“We have really good empanadas. There are breakfast empanadas that have egg and bacon inside, chicken empanadas, and then we plan to do a Philly cheesesteak empanada,” she said. “We also have viral fruit pastry-mousse cakes. They’re shaped like a fruit—for example, a mango. When you break into it, there’s mousse inside that is mango-flavored. We’re going to have a couple of flavors.”
Akbar is eager to bring a sense of togetherness to the neighborhood.
“I’m excited to have a space for people to come and either work from home, hang out, get a cup of coffee, study–that third space,” she said.
MOTW Coffee & Pastries plans to officially open in January. Visit the cafe’s website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for updates.
