Refugees work toward American dream

This story tells about 2 refugee families who have started their own businesses in St Louis. They are struggling and work almost 24/7, but are trying to achieve the "American Dream". DP

By Doug Moore, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

stltoday.com: The first month of business at African Grocery Store has been slow. Hours can pass without a single customer. Ice cream treats fill a freezer at the front of the store. Cigarette packs are stacked below the cash register. Cans, jars and boxes neatly fill three rows of shelves.

Owner Nubarido Kuebee was waiting last week for the machine that processes food stamp cards to arrive. Without it, the refugees that he expects will be his main customers won't be coming in.

Kuebee takes the slow start in stride. Just having a storefront to call his own fills him with pride.

"In America, if you want to be somebody, you can be," Kuebee, 42, said from his store on South Grand Boulevard.

For the Nigerian refugee, the grocery is the beginning of the unlimited possibilities that he sees his new home country offering.

KOSOVAR OWNS TWO BUSINESSES
Mehedin "Mickey" Salihu, who came to the U.S. from Kosovo in 1999, says the move from dead-end jobs to business owner is the ultimate goal, but it's not easy.

"I pretty much work 24-7," Salihu said. "That's the part I didn't know. But you find out as you go."

Salihu has lived with his wife, Raza, in St. Louis for about five years. Now U.S. citizens, the Salihus have two businesses, three children and own a house in south St. Louis.

He owns Kosomax Contracting, which specializes in finishing basements. He also runs a security business, hired for concerts and special events.
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