After recently opening a new location in Scottsdale, Authentic EthioAfrican is pivoting back to its grow its original space near downtown Phoenix at 1740 E. McDowell Road.
The company, owned and operated by Anduale Hassan and Elsabet Tiruneh, opened a new location in Scottsdale on Jan. 23, according to Phoenix New Times. Now that Authentic EthioAfrican has opened its second location, the owners are returning to the original space that opened in 2012 on McDowell Road and 18th Street. Hassan and Tiruneh have been undergoing renovations, including adding a retail bakery producing desserts and injera, a new breakfast menu, and a community center for events. Hassan tells What Now Phoenix that the duo hopes to complete the renovations in mid-March, but these aren’t their only plans.
The owners of Authentic EthioAfrican have secured leases for the surrounding spaces of its original location, including the former home of Spce Coffee at 1736 E McDowell Road and the former home of Angelica’s Barber Shop at 1738 E. McDowell Road. Part of this redevelopment will create a new bakery for the company to serve dessert and injera. The business owner will take the former coffee shop and turn it into a space for them to serve their signature coffee and tea. The yet-to-be-named cafe will be open all day.
“Our injera has become really popular,” Hassan tells Phoenix New Times. “Our community — and even others — are buying it and cooking at home. In Ethiopia, serving coffee is our signature. It’s like espresso, but not as strong (and) infused with a unique blend of spices.”
It’s unclear when Hassan and Tiruneh will complete the overall renovations for the surrounding areas for the original Authentic EthioAfrican space, which also includes a former sushi restaurant. If everything goes well, the business owners hope the expansion plans don’t stop here. The two tell Phoenix New Times they plan to open new locations in other parts of the Valley in the next five years.
