It was all for Ally Sabra. Then it became a "therapeutic place" for many.
That is how 22-year-old Ally's mom, Faten Sabra, describes The Snug Mug, a coffee shop in Garden City that has people with special needs in mind.
"Ally was born with cognitive impairment and developmental delay," Faten said. "He's the purpose of this coffee shop; he is the reason why we wanted to open it. I wanted to give him a job. I wanted him to have something for his future. And it was not just Ally — I always had other adults with different disabilities in the back of my mind. I know how hard it is for our kids to find somewhere to work."
The Dearborn family set out to build more than a coffee shop, creating an inclusive workplace where students and adults with disabilities
work alongside people without disabilities and gain skills that foster independence.
For Faten, the mission is rooted in a belief that everyone deserves a chance.
"I didn't just want to hire adults with different abilities," Faten said. "I wanted to include them in a mixed environment with the general population. ...We are all different. We all have different abilities, but we all dream to succeed. We just have to be given an opportunity."
Ally said being the boss makes him feel "proud."
"I like getting up in the morning, getting dressed and coming to work," he added.
He greets every customer who walks through the door and helps with everything from preparing cold foam to making cookies and pastries, like the spinach feta croissants. He said his favorite menu item is the tiramisu cookie, though he also recommends the Honeybear Latte, the shop's signature drink.
'Built a lot of confidence'
When the project was set in motion, Faten began reaching out to families she knew who had adult children with disabilities, many of whom shared the same concerns she once had.
"I knew that those parents were also losing sleep over not knowing what's next for their kids," she said.
Among the employees is Ibrahim Hamed of Dearborn Heights, who has cerebral palsy and autism. The 26-year-old is well known on social media, where his humorous and wholesome videos have attracted nearly 2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram.
When Faten first spotted Ibrahim at a mall, she approached him and his family with an offer.
"I told them, 'I'm opening a coffee shop, and I would love to have Ibrahim work with us,'" she said.
Ibrahim's father, Salah Hamed, said he loved the idea.
"As a parent of a special needs kid, you always worry about what's going to happen to them," he said. "This gives these kids something to look forward to. I know my son looks forward to it."
Now, he sees a difference in his son.
"He's as happy as can be," Salah said. "It's definitely built a lot of confidence in him. I've seen it."
His mother, Yasmeen Hamed, has seen that growth too. She volunteers at The Snug Mug on the days Ibrahim works.
When her son first started, she often stayed beside him to help complete tasks. Now she can give him instructions and walk away.
"He's more focused. He looks around to see what needs to be done. He's more aware of his surroundings. He's paying attention to others more, welcoming them when they walk in," she said. "He loves socializing with the customers."
In fact, Ibrahim has become one of the shop's unofficial attractions. Known by his family as a "walking calendar," he entertains customers waiting in line by asking for their birthdays and telling them what day of the week they'll fall on.
"They call them savants; I don't know how he does it," Yasmeen said. "He's an amazing individual. All the employees are amazing in their own way."
Dearborn resident Hiba Ayoub, 31, said working at The Snug Mug has been her favorite job yet.
"I like it here a lot," Ayoub said. "I like (that) we're all friends. I like the cookies; I like the coffee. I clean the tables; I clean the dishes."
'A therapeutic place'
"Our customers know that when they come here, they have to slow down," Faten said. "It's not just a place where you come grab your coffee and you leave. No, they come, they sit, they study and they talk to our employees."
It's a reminder for them to appreciate what they have in life. It's not just a business; it's more of a therapeutic place."
Even the cafe's name was designed to make people feel comfortable.
The Sabras wanted a cozy atmosphere rather than a trendy one. The comfort of childhood teddy bears inspired the bear logo, while "snug mug" reflects the coziness of drinking coffee at home under a blanket.
"It's a cozy place with a cozy name," Faten said.
Ally's father, Teddy Sabra, is the builder and contractor who brought the vision to life with his own hands. He built the coffee shop and even crafted the tables and chairs inside.
The shop's mission and welcoming atmosphere have already made Ally something of a local celebrity. Just six weeks after The Snug Mug opened, he has attracted a loyal base of regular customers, and many newcomers walk through the door already knowing his name.
When asked what The Snug Mug means to him, Ally's answer was simple: "It's special and cozy."
And he's already looking ahead, with plans to open more locations and create more jobs.
The Snug Mug, located at 6659 Middlebelt Road, will host its first community event from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 17, featuring sensory-friendly activities, food and beverages from the coffee shop and local vendors, a live DJ and a raffle offering a chance to win the "trip of a lifetime," according to the event flyer.
"We have been overwhelmed by the support. I really felt like people were waiting for a place like this to open," Faten said. "So come in, take your time and enjoy this moment with us."
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Email her at nrahal@freep.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The Snug Mug helps adults with disabilities build skills, confidence
