Koshari’s owners say they have found a potential new home in Ballard and are raising money to help secure the restaurant space.
The Egyptian street food business served its final meals inside Salt & Sugar on Aug. 15 before moving out of the shared space. Owners Amani and Ayman have since been searching for a permanent location.
“We found a potential new home for Koshari… and it’s still in Ballard,” the business announced on Instagram. The prospective location is a few blocks from Koshari’s former space, though the owners have not disclosed the address.
Koshari’s owners said they have provided some of the money needed for the new location but are about $8,000 short of the liquid funds they need to put them in a position to secure it.
“If you’ve been part of Koshari’s story—whether you ate with us, brought a friend, shared a post, or simply want to see us back in Ballard—we would love your help getting there,” they wrote.
The business has launched a GoFundMe with a total fundraising goal of $30,000. The campaign has so far raised $4,370. Its immediate focus is closing the $8,000 funding gap for the prospective location.
Additional money raised would go toward permits, architectural review, licenses, health department requirements, plumbing and electrical work, specialized kitchen equipment, exterior signage, dining room furniture, opening inventory, and other expenses, according to the fundraiser.
Koshari previously operated for 15 to 17 hours per week from the shared Ballard space. A permanent restaurant would give the business its own kitchen, dining room, storefront and signage, while allowing it to offer expanded hours, the owners said.
“This isn’t about starting Koshari—you already helped us do that,” Amani and Ayman wrote on the fundraiser. “It’s about the day when the Koshari sign goes up, the kitchen turns on, and we unlock our own front door for the first time.”
Photo: Koshari