Success is in the name: Najah Corporation expands into Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Honors Black-run businesses during Black History Month

Guest Editorial by Tops Friendly Markets

To say Bisharo Ali’s business was homegrown is an understatement. Having built her business from the ground up, hand-sealing the bottles herself with a hairdryer at her kitchen table, Najah Corporation was a labor of love and truly a family affair.

Najah, which literally means “success” in Bisharo’s native tongue, came to life when friends and family would complement her when they enjoyed her sauce recipes. Bisharo first got her start in local farmer’s markets and was able to begin to expand her outreach as she continued to grow her mission to share new cultural tastes and healthy options with a wider audience.

Bisharo is a Somali-American, local small business owner. Tops recognized the importance of offering an opportunity to Bisharo and her family, and was grateful to have met her through an initiative with Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin, called Level Up.

Level Up, in coordination with the county departments of Environment and Planning, Public Works, and the office of Equal Employment Opportunity, is a county-based wraparound services initiative for business owners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and operate a business within a low-income ZIP code across the Western New York region.

“We were excited to be able to work with Najah and her family to bring her unique offerings of tamarind sauces and fenugreek and date dips to our customers,” said Tom Sulski, category business manager for Tops. “Bisharo opened our eyes to the many uses of her products, including marinades, dips, sautés and barbecues, which we think our shoppers will enjoy exploring.”

We’re proud to be able to support local entrepreneurs like Bisharo Ali and others in our community that we not only highlight during Black History Month, but all year through. Be sure to pick up her all-natural sauces at select Tops locations through Western New York today!

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 148 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.