Category Archives: Story Queries

Security used to be a problem–

Have any other issues sparked for Queens Deli Owner

By: Crystal Simbudyal

Dark hair, brown eyes, tan skin and determination describe the appearance and the personality of a man moving into the United States from Yemin, a Middle Eastern country. He found the adjustment to be difficult– trying to assimilate to another culture, and learning the language, the customs, and the values of the people.  So, Yahxa Alkebsi, the owner of Gamil Mini Market, a deli located in Queens Village on 217th Street between Hillside and Jamaica Avenues, decided to become his own boss.

Several years ago, in an interview, Alkebsi spoke of problems that concerned him: Having to shoo away mobs of kids looking for trouble on the weekdays after long hours in school, and dealing with a landlord who continually wants to raise the rent.

Three years later, he no longer has to deal with security issues. Alkebsi feels more confident running his store with the cameras always running. Customers have noticed and commented on them ever so often.

Alkebsi has a lot on his plate from the start of his day toright before closing time. “You get what you give; for good customers you become friendly, and when you see a tough guy, be the tough guy. It shows them whose boss,” said Alkebsi.

Gamil Mini Market’s products range from baby pampers, snacks, white tees, drinks, and vegetables –a wide variety for an everyday shopper on the go.

He owns five other stores in the New York region. They are located in Queens Village, Jamaica, Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn. All stores are family run.

“I still share this store, with my brother and my son. They are a very big help to business and I enjoy their company when it’s down time,” said Alkebsi.

Since he has to compete with many other stores in just a mile radius, Alkebsi maintains great prices for his customers to encourage them to keep coming back. “The old people come in for milk and eggs. The young people come in for cigarettes, cold or hot sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. They are the ones who help drive the business. I give back to them with merchandising. It’s the prices that keeps our customers happy,” said Alkebsi.

“I am the competition. You just can’t beat my prices,” says Alkebsi. Providing good service and always being friendly results in positive reactions from his customers.

“I sometimes face conflicts with teenagers; they hang out outside my store and make trouble. Sometimes, they want to buy cigarettes but I refuse to sell them anything,” said Alkebsi. The morning always brings business, from 7am to 7:30am. Then, right after school lets out, usually around 2:00pm, customers start rolling in. Alkebsi is grateful when school is in session from September into June. “In the summer business is slow. After August, its picks up in the morning and gets slow in the afternoon,” said Alkebsi.

The small crowds of teenagers and adults, in their mid-twenties and thirties are Gamil mini market’s  best customers. Older adults prefer to go to Key Food around the corner to shop in bigger quantities.

“My family and friends have shopped there plenty of times. Gamil is a cool guy, always friendly and about his business,” remarked customer, Kageel Mendonca.

Alkebsi’s store is known to be the bogie spot, another word for cigarette. Many customers go in and out to purchase cigarettes. Sometimes, Alkebsi, allows his customers to buy items on credit.  “Customers don’t always come back and pay but they come back and buy stuff.” One might think, this is a disadvantage for business but Alkebsi says this this is a way of “gaining loyal customers”.

“Soda, daily sandwiches and cigarettes is what brings a lot of my customers around and that’s fine with me,” said Alkebsi.

Alkebsi continues to run his business as a friendly environment. The same customers come in on an everyday basis and word travels by word-of-mouth, allowing Alkebsi to build more relationships with new customers.

Loyalty is everything in this man’s store. “It has made me famous and reasonable, said Alkebsi, laughing.