An authentic Syrian takeout restaurant has made St. Paul Street its new home.

THUNDER BAY -- Thunder Bay foodies now have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Syrian flavours in the downtown waterfront district.

Zaher Toubaji and his family arrived in Thunder Bay last year after fleeing Syria and waiting more than four years in Lebanon. Toubaji, his wife Nisreen and daughters Hadeel and Sema have settled in and opened a takeout facility on St. Paul Street known as Damascus Donair.

Through a family interpreter Zaher said the community support feels like a mother welcoming her child home.

“We are so excited to open the restaurant,” Zaher said. “We’ve received a very warm welcome from the community.”

The takeout facility has had a number of visitors since opening day Monday where there was an abundance of people waiting outside to order food.

The menu features chicken towouk, fattoush salad, humus and Zaher’s secret Baba Ghanoush along with some Arabic groceries.

The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Zaher and his family hope to expand the facility sometime in the future.

Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Patty Hajdu believes it’s awarding to open up our country to people who want to work hard and contribute to the community.

“When we see a small business being started by new comers to Canada…that’s exactly what we need to grow our economy,” Hajdu said.

“Many immigrants are job creators and if (Damascus Donair) expands they will be hiring people and that’s the best story of all in terms of immigration.”

Hajdu added that Canada has a rich history of immigration, so it’s wonderful to see the Toubaji family starting a business, integrating into the community and contributing back.

The Toubaji family will be adding to the economy of Thunder Bay by contributing to the cultural fabric of the community and adding to the rising food scene.

“They are providing other options to people in terms of opportunities to experience new food and new culture but more than that I think they demonstrate the principal that we believe in Canada,” she said.

“When you have a hand up you actually can create so much from that and you can actually contribute to your community in ways that otherwise would not be possible.”

Hajdu added the sense of gratefulness from the Toubaji family is overwhelming and quite touching.