Takoma Park celebrated 50 years of the Hishmeh brothers’ presence in the city on Wednesday.
Mayor Talisha Searcy presented a Mayoral Proclamation at the Takoma Park City Council meeting Wednesday evening.
Laura Barclay of Main Street Takoma congratulated the Hishmeh Family on their 50 years in business. “Today we celebrate the Hishmeh Family’s 50th year in business in Takoma Park,” Barclay said via email. “From being the first pita bakery in the DC area, to serving up their family’s favorite recipes, to creating a community space that everyone enjoys, the Hishmeh Family has made a big impact on the Takoma community.”
Fuad and Nihad Hishmeh opened the Electrik Maid in the location formerly occupied by Mark’s Kitchen after moving to the United States from Ramallah, Palestine in 1973. They operated an American bakery next door to the Electrik Maid for two years before converting it into Middle Eastern Bakery, which was the first bakery in the D.C. area to bake fresh, homemade pita bread. In 1980, the bakery was converted into Middle East Market, which became Middle Eastern Cuisine in 2001.
Olive Lounge opened in 2008 as an extension of Middle Eastern Cuisine, combining both restaurants into a single, all-day menu offering in 2020.
Main Street Takoma photo
