While he is stepping down as chef of Joseph's Restaurant, its owner, Joseph Habr, said the business will be back in 2022, with his children at the wheel. He and his wife, Helen, founded the restaurant 20 years ago and their children do not intend to forget what they built.
On a September 3 Facebook post, the Lebanese restaurant thanked its staff and customers for their loyalty since it opened its doors in September 2001.
“However, the time has come for the new generation to take the reins. As such our business model will be changing and the Joseph’s you know will be diversified. Our era will be no more from September 30, 2021 but as one door closes another opens. So please stay in touch and we’d (sic) keep you posted. Until then, we hope to see you soon, stay safe and best wishes from us.”
There has been speculation that the restaurant, in Rookery Nook, Maraval, closed because of financial difficulties brought about by covid19 restrictions, especially as in-house dining was stopped on April 29, leading several fine-dining restaurants to close either temporarily or permanently.
But Habr stressed that is not the case with Joseph’s.
“People think it’s because of covid19 and the government not opening (in-house dining for restaurants), but this is not our reason.
"I’ve been in business for 35 years in Trinidad. I am tired. It’s time to relax.”
[caption id="attachment_913431" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Joseph's Restaurant will be modernised under the management of Maurice and Marie-Anne Habr in 2022. - PHOTO BY SUREASH CHOLAI[/caption]
Habr told Business Day he had some health issues over the past few months, but now he is better, he is ready to relax and spend some time with his first grandchild, who was born in July.
He said he took a while to decide to retire, but after discussing it with his family, especially his children Marie-Anne and Maurice, he made the move.
“Two of my three children promised me to continue Joseph’s – but not now. We want some time to relax. I want to concentrate on myself and enjoy this time with my family. When one door closes, another will open.”
Helen added, “Over the many years in the industry, we have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people and I look forward to a new chapter as we pass on the torch to our children.”
Habr said he does not blame the government for doing what was necessary to protect the population, even though Joseph’s Restaurant, like many others, has been burdened by the covid19 restrictions.
Decades of excellence
Habr and Helen started their food business at Ali Baba in Town Centre Mall in Port of Spain before moving to Royal Palm Plaza in Maraval. Then, about 20 years ago, they opened Joseph’s Restaurant in Rookery Nook.
“My dad was one of the first people to commercialise Arabic food in TT. Before, if you wanted Arabic food you had to go to the home of an Arab to enjoy it,” said Maurice.
Habr started studying the culinary ar
