Shibam Coffee is set to bring a true taste of Yemen to the city of Ballwin

 (This is the first of two new restaurant pieces I wrote for West Newsmagazine within the past month or so.)

On Oct. 13, the Ballwin Board unanimously passed legislation for Shibam Coffee to move into the address of 15256 Manchester Road in the C-1 Commercial District. According to City Planner Lynn Sprick, that 5,000 square foot site was occupied by Advance Auto Parts from Oct. 2016-March 2020. 

This Saint Louis location of Shibam will serve as the headquarters, the flagship store, product development center, operations management base, and training facility for what petitioner Omar Abdel Baset sees as a rapid expansion across Missouri over the next 3 to 5 years.

What’s uber interesting about the name ‘Shibam’ is that it refers to an historical city in Yemen. With some 7,000 inhabitants, Shibam is not only recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its mudbrick skyscrapers and other unique architectural buildings, but it’s also often called ‘The Manhattan of the Desert!’

And Shibam’s mission statement reflects the culture of its background. They strive to ‘bring the authentic flavors of Yemeni coffee and Middle Eastern-inspired drinks to Missouri, blending tradition with a modern café experience in a warm, welcoming space.’

Some of the site’s featured items will be a wide variety of signature Yemen drinks including coffees, teas, Espressos, specialty drinks, sandwiches, wraps, pastries and other desserts, both imported and locally made.

The 100-seat capacity site will also feature Yemeni-inspired interior design that includes communal tables.

No opening date has yet been disclosed as the owners are currently working on building permits. But once it does open, it will do so from 7 a.m. to midnight daily, starting with a Grand Opening offering free tasting samples.

There will also be seasonal drink launches, sponsorship of cultural festivals and events plus the site’s own cultural event tie-ins.