‘First Yemeni coffee house in the 209’ to open in Merced. Here’s when and where
A new coffee shop aiming to bring the flavors and culture of the Middle East to Merced is gearing up to open its doors.
After first announcing plans to come to the city in early 2025, Sahara Coffee House said it will soon welcome customers with an upcoming soft opening.
It will be “the first Yemeni coffee house in the 209” area, the business wrote in an Instagram post on June 10.
Here’s what to know about the new coffee shop opening in Merced:
What is Sahara Coffee House?
Sahara Coffee House is a family-owned coffee shop centered on Yemeni coffee, Arabic beverages and Middle Eastern culture.
The concept was developed by owner Hammam Ali — also a co-owner of Smash Bros Burgers — along with family members, including cousin Wahab Muheyaddin.
Muheyaddin previously told the Merced Sun-Star that the shop is designed to offer more than coffee. From its decor and music to its menu and atmosphere, Sahara Coffee House aims to create an immersive cultural experience inspired by the Middle East.
“We’re trying to bring the Arabic culture, the vibe, the beverages, the food and have it influence with the American culture,” Muheyaddin previously told the Sun-Star.
The idea for the shop grew out of Muheyaddin’s travels and interest in the history and traditions surrounding Arabic coffee.
He said he spent time exploring the Sahara region and learning about the culture, coffee-growing practices and brewing techniques that inspired the concept.
“I wanted to bring the actual feeling, actually how it feels to be in the desert — the Arabic feeling,” he said.
What’s on the menu at Sahara Coffee House?
The menu at Sahara Coffee House will feature a mix of traditional and modern coffee drinks, including espresso beverages made with Arabic coffee beans, Arabic-style coffees, Turkish coffee and specialty teas.
Customers can also expect a selection of Middle Eastern-inspired desserts and pastries, including Dubai chocolate, Arabic cakes and honeycomb bread filled with cream cheese and drizzled with honey.
When will new Merced coffee shop open? Where?
Sahara Coffee House will open at 1459 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 9, Merced.
The coffee shop will take over an empty space in the same plaza as the family’s burger business, Smash Bros Burgers.
It will hold its soft opening on Friday, July 3.
New coffee shop hiring in Merced
Sahara Coffee House is looking to hire baristas, with pay ranging from $18 to $22 per hour.
No previous experience is required to apply, according to the business.
“We’ll train you on teas & traditional drinks,” the business said on Instagram. “We want someone kind, great with people, who represents our culture.”
Interested applicants can apply by emailing saharayemenicoffee@gmail.com or direct messaging the business on Instagram.
