The Hariri family is originally from Saida, Lebanon, also known as Sidon. This ancient city is the third largest city in Lebanon and is known for its fishing ports, soap manufacturing and fruit orchards. Arched pathways connect the city filled with mini-markets and souvenir shops, creating an eclectic mix of past and present.
The Hariris moved to the United States in 2001, and brought a taste of Sidon with them. They have always had a deep love for delicious food and the way it brings people together. The inspiration for Middle East Market and Sidon Lebanese Grille & Bakery was founded in cultural traditions rooted in gathering around the table and making memories with loved ones.
In 2005, their journey began on the corner of Reynolds Road and Bancroft Street in a small corner store known as Middle East Market. Mahmoud Hariri founded the business with his son, Bahaa Hariri, who manages the daily operations. This store offered grocery products, halal meat and a small Deli. After a few years at the first location, there was a need to expand in order to accommodate the growing customer base and general increase in demand for ethnic grocery stores.
In 2010, they moved the business to a shopping center on the corner of Dorr Street and Flaire Drive. In this larger location, there was room for a wider variety of products and a small dine-in area where customers could enjoy grab-and-go meals from the Deli counter. Their loyal customer base continued to grow, and the family wanted to further explore the idea of providing guests with their favorite traditional recipes from home.
With a courageous leap of faith in 2015, they moved to the third and current location with a vision in mind. Middle East Market has grown to feature a vast variety of ethnic groceries, a Halal meat counter, freshly made Deli and bakery items, fresh produce, frozen products and more. There are always new and unique items to find on the shelves.
Their dream was always to share their passion for cooking with the people they love. That dream became a reality as Sidon Lebanese Grille & Bakery was opened as a dining space where guests can enjoy authentic Mediterranean meals in a laid-back and inviting setting. Warm stone-fire pita bread greets guests when they sit down for a meal and invites them to linger longer and enjoy breaking bread together.
After 20 years of business, the family is always taking on new projects and looking for ways to improve the businesses. In the summer of 2024, they launched Gido’s Garden, which provides organic and locally grown produce for both the market and the restaurant during the summer months. Towards the end of 2024, Sidon opened its Coffee Corner, which offers fresh espresso, smoothies, Turkish coffee and fresh juices. Currently, the family is working on renovating the unit next to Sidon to become a large private event and banquet space. This space will be called Sufra by Sidon. Sufra is an Arabic word that roughly translates to “a spread of food and drinks.”
The Hariri family is very grateful for the support and loyalty of their customers over the years. They are excited to see what the future holds and continue to take on new ventures to bring the best of Lebanese cuisine and culture to the Toledo area. The best is yet to come!
