Anita Khalek, owner of Levant Cafe in Raleigh, is making a comeback since shuttering her cafe at the end of 2020. Amid the chaos of the pandemic and the end of the lease at her old address, Khalek decided to close and focus on caring for her family during the pandemic.
However, she did want to bring the business back — and her customers were looking for it, too.
“I kept getting messages very frequently from my clients about reopening,” Khalek told What Now Charlotte. “They kept asking me to give them information about opening dates, so I felt like the need was still very much there without anyone filling it. I do love the business and it’s my passion, so I decided to reopen.”
Now, Khalek is preparing to reopen at 7400 Six Forks Road in Raleigh, with plans to open in early spring. Renovations are currently underway.
The spot focuses on Levantine cuisine, a nod to Khalek’s heritage and her recollections of growing up in Cyprus. All the food is made fresh from scratch in-house.
“I take great pride in the heritage we have in Lebanon, especially in the cuisine heavily relying on minimally processed foods, spicing and authentic flavors,” Khalek said.
The space will feature a modern design with some Mediterranean flair. It will be twice as large as Khalek’s original cafe space, allowing her to expand the brand.
“I’m excited to reopen again and welcome back our community,” Khalek said.
