The green walls that were once covered with nostalgic posters and classic lunch specials were painted pink. The old checkerboard linoleum floor has been replaced with sleek, creamed-colored ceramic tiles.

Soon, Jumbo’s, a defunct Liberty City institution that many thought would be razed for a housing development, is coming back to life as Bubba’s Caffe, a neighborhood diner whose owner is another businessman who has served the Black community for years.

The building where thousands of customers have dined for decades will have a new look and feel when owner Nader Aweidah, a well-loved Arab businessman opens Bubba’s Caffe with an eclectic menu that will reflect his tastes and personality that many residents have embraced over the years. People in the community called him by his nickname, “Bubba."

Located at 7501 NW Seventh Ave., Bubba’s Caffe will be next to two other business Aweidah owns, Bubba’s Supermarket (Aweidah leases itto another business) and Perfect Auto Body and Paint Shop.

Bubba’s Caffe may bring racial harmony similar to Jumbo’s, whose owner, Bobby Flam, was embraced by the Black community because of his decision to keep his diner in the neighborhood despite white flight in the 1950s and '60s. Flam's eatery stood as a soul-food landmark in Liberty City for 59 years. Angry Liberty City residents during the McDuffie Riots in 1980 left his building intact. People from every walk of life dined on fried chicken, Caribbean conch, liver and onions before Flam closed Jumbo's in July after years of declining sales and rising overhead costs.

Property records list Mohammad Imad Tawil as the new owner of the former Jumbo’s building that was sold for $490,000. Flam declined to confirm the buyer, but he said the owner wanted to build an affordable housing development on the site. But he said Aweidah struck a deal with the owner to operate another restaurant in the building. Neither Flam or Aweidah disclosed the terms of the deal.

Aweidah said he didn’t want to purchase the naming rights to Jumbo’s, because the $50,000 asking price was too high. Aweidah said a new name will allow his restaurant to establish its own identity.

“The (Jumbo’s) name has a lot value, but I’m going to make it more valuable,” Aweidah said.

Flam and locals said Aweidah is the perfect person to own a building that means a lot to the community. They describe him as a selfless man who often helps out strangers in need. He also employs homeless persons among his 12-member staff at his auto body shop.

“I wish Bubba the best,” Flam said. “It’s a nostalgic location. He knows a lot people and he is a very hard worker. He’s going to be successful.”

Michael Shutov, who works in Aweidah’s body shop, agrees.

“This man has a very good heart,” said Shutov, who said he was homeless and broke when Aweidah employed him. “He has helped me out when I had nobody. I was stuck between a rock and hard place.”

Since moving into the former Jumbo’s, Aweidah has kept a low profile as he upgraded the building. Friends and employees have thanked Aweidah by helping him upgrade and furnish Bubba’s Café for little costs. A friend from Georgia donated a large cherry oak wooden bar with stools.

Another friend donated new wooden dining chairs. Employees and friends have helped out painting the inside and outside of the building. There are also newly upholstered booths with a pea green fabric. The restaurant’s bathrooms and kitchen received upgrades.

Outside, Aweidah plans to turn an area that was used as a garbage dump into a patio, adding a wooden canopy and seating capacity for 12 people. Aweidah said Bubba’s Caffe will have an upscale but casual feel.

Aweidah, who once owned a Snappers franchise restaurant in Naranja nearly two years ago, said Bubba’s Caffe will serve everything from fried chicken and oxtails to lobster. He said barbecue ribs, spaghetti and Greek salads and other dishes will also be on the menu.

Aweidah said the restaurant will be open by late March. Open 24 hours, the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Aweidah said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received for his restaurant.

“So many people have loved me. I’m grateful and thankful to the Lord,” he said.

Source: 

http://miamitimesonline.com/news/2015/mar/04/jumbos-bubbas-cafe/