A Family That Cooks Together Grows Together

Downtown Bloom Grant helps propel mother-daughter duo to the next level of savory success

BY: ELAINE BONNEAU | Director of Downtown Inc

It’s a Tuesday in Downtown York, unseasonably warm for a late winter day, evidence that spring is near. It’s market day, and CENTRAL MARKET HOUSE is bustling with activity. The warm temps have unleashed a pinned-up desire to get out, breathe fresh air and recapture some sense of normalcy lost a year ago, albeit still socially distanced and masked.

As you move through the market, there’s a bounty of options to tempt your palate – from gourmet coffee and fresh pressed juice to fresh produce and the most decadent desserts. The market is a local’ s favorite spot to grab lunch or dinner to-go – with options from southern comfort food to authentic Italian, you’re sure to find something to satisfy any appetite.

Tucked in the corner near Mudhook Brewing Company you’ll find a particular buzz and often a line of loyal customers at GLOBAL CAFÉ, a family-owned carry out restaurant specializing in Afro-Caribbean and Latin style cuisine. When you approach, you’re greeted by the aroma of Caribbean Jerk seasoning. Behind the counter you’ll be welcomed by Assen and Amaa Achu, the mother and daughter team behind the amazingly delicious cuisine. Originally from Cameroon, they aspire to introduce Afro-Caribbean flavors to a wider audience and inspire love of diverse cultures and flavors. And the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The loyal customer base and positive reviews are testament to the authentic flavor.

We were happy to be able to offer a constant in these unpredictable times, in the form of comfort food.

While COVID-19 presented challenges, Global Café’s take-out style model lends well to a socially distant reality, which helped the restaurant weather the periods of quarantine and closure.

“We are primarily a take-out business, so we could still be available to our customers during the COVID-19 mitigations. We were happy to be able to offer a constant in these unpredictable times, in the form of comfort food, ” says owner Assen Achu.

The challenge the business faced is that they didn’t have a website offering ecommerce and online ordering, critical to sustain the growing take-out and delivery service demand. They’d heard about the Downtown Bloom Grant program to support local businesses during COVID-19 and decided to apply. They were elated when they received notice that they were selected for a grant.

Assen and Amaa Achu, the mother and daughter team behind GLOBAL CAFÉ at Central Market House, a family-owned carry out restaurant specializing in Afro-Caribbean and Latin style cuisine.

Creating a website was a major improvement. We wanted to avoid having our customers stand in line, and the website provides a user-friendly and convenient platform where they can order ahead. It also provided funding to invest in new refrigeration equipment necessary to maintain inventory and meet demand.

Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and thanks to support from the Bloom Grant, the family business continues to grow. So much so, the mother-daughter duo will be opening a second location in East York this spring. Customers can expect the same well-seasoned, slow-simmered, deliciously inspired menu. As Assen says, her mom creates the magic behind the amazing flavors customers have come to know and love, and that won’t change. Initially the new location will be primarily take-out, with eat-in seating planned once COVID restrictions are lifted.

For more information, visit globalcafemarket.com.

YoCo Bloom

With support of our philanthropic community, and fundraising efforts during Give Local York, $180,000 was raised to award small business grants to 50 small businesses primarily in Downtown York. The majority of these funds were awarded to businesses owned by persons of color, including a majority of women-owned businesses.