A family-owned Somali-inspired cafe born from pop-ups, community gatherings and a lifelong passion for hospitality is preparing to open in Renton. Shaah & Sheeko, founded by Ahlam Nur alongside her parents, Amaal Mohamed and Abdulaziz Hirsi, is currently under development at 16928 116th Ave SE in Renton.
Although an exact opening timeline has not yet been officially confirmed, Nur told Whatnow Seattle the cafe could open as early as June, depending on final preparations.
The concept will feature Somali-inspired teas, lattes, pastries and savory items, all served inside a space designed with cultural artwork, fabrics and pieces sourced directly from Somalia.
The name itself reflects the heart of the concept. “Shaah” translates to tea, while “Sheeko” means talk or conversation, a phrase deeply tied to gathering and spending time together.
According to Nur, the name was chosen to capture the feeling she hopes people experience when walking into the cafe: slowing down, staying awhile and connecting with others.
“My parents were born in Somalia, so I’m fully Somali,” Nur explained. Growing up in South Seattle, she always felt connected to baking and Somali culture.
But the idea for the cafe became more serious after a 2021 trip to Mogadishu, where she visited Somalia for the first time and saw firsthand how food and tea were prepared in the place where her family grew up.
Around the same time, Nur rediscovered an old middle school assignment in which students had been asked to create a 10-year plan for their future. In the letter, she had written that she hoped to one day open a cafe or bakery.
“In that plan, I said that I wanted to open up a cafe or have some kind of bakery, and I realized that I was nowhere near that goal that my middle school self set for myself.”
Encouraged by friends, Nur began hosting pop-ups serving Somali tea, baked goods and catered items alongside her mother. What started as small events quickly gained momentum as demand grew throughout the community.
With each pop-up, demand continued to grow as more people began showing up for the family’s teas, baked goods and catered items. According to the founder, customers frequently asked when the concept would open a permanent location.
Eventually, the entire family became involved in the project, and both of her parents left their jobs to help bring the cafe to life full time.
Now, the future space is being designed with Somali-inspired details throughout, including fabrics, artwork and decorative items sourced directly from Somalia.
“Both my mom and dad went back home and also went on a trip to get some pieces from back home. So we have some of those artifacts and cooking utensils displayed in the cafe as well.”
For Nur, choosing Renton was intentional. While many trendy cafes continue opening in Downtown Seattle, North Seattle and Bellevue, she said she wanted to create a welcoming gathering space closer to the South Seattle communities where she grew up.
“I feel like people who live down South also deserve to have some really nice cafes and spaces in their neighborhoods. So that was a main driver of why I stayed down South,” Nur shared.
The path to opening, however, came with some challenges.
During the early stages of searching for a location, Nur experienced severe health complications that led to multiple hospitalizations. Rather than stepping away from the project, she described the experience as something that completely changed her perspective on pursuing her dreams.
“I could have died right there and never have done any of the things that I said I would do one day,” Nur recalled. “And so that was kind of a bit of a wake up call for the first hospitalization. I should just do everything I want to do because life is too short.”
Even while continuing to face health struggles during construction, Nur credited the support of her family, friends and customers with giving her the motivation to keep moving forward.
As the cafe moves to opening, Nur and her family are preparing to turn years of pop-ups and community support into a permanent gathering space centered around Somali culture and hospitality.
