The city of Columbia is a diverse, tight knit community that’s growing and welcoming new businesses that enhance cultural engagement. It especially caught the eye of Andy Shallal, CEO and founder of Busboys and Poets. “Columbia is a very multicultural, multi-ethnic area. It has a beautiful tapestry of different types of people and we want to add another panel to that quilt of humanity,” says Shallal. The prospect of bringing Shallal’s iconic cultural coffee shop and restaurant to our area started with social media. Requests for a local Busboys and Poets rolled in from customers venturing from Columbia to the original DC locations -- Shallal answered those calls and arrangements were made to build the largest location yet in the Merriweather District -- opening this Fall.

Shallal began his professional journey at the National Institutes of Health in Immunology. He worked as a server on the side and developed a love of the restaurant industry that ultimately won out over a long term plan to attend medical school. “Waiting tables really brought me into the world of restaurants and I have been a part of it ever since, and I love it.” He decided to start a restaurant and chose the progressive Historic U Street residential district in Northwest DC for the first Busboys and Poets location in September 2005, while pursuing his MBA from the University of Maryland. The establishment was an instant success and included a restaurant, performance space, and bookstore. This became the template for expansion and Shallal went on to open seven more locations in the D.C. area. The Baltimore location opened in May of 2021 and the Columbia location is scheduled to open October 10th of this year. 

There are many municipal and government spaces for people to gather but Busboys and Poets provides a new kind of space -- a safe space for ideas and opinions to be shared during meals and over drinks. “The idea is to have a space that people can gather not just to eat, but also to connect with people to talk about issues.” Shallal is passionate about creating and maintaining a space that welcomes all people. His parents immigrated from Iraq when he was ten years old. He’s been an activist and artist all his life.  “Being an immigrant and a person of color, I always felt I wanted to feel at home in spaces that oftentimes may not feel welcoming. I wanted to create a space for others to discuss issues and ideas, where everyone could be comfortable and feel like they are part of the bigger society,” shares Shallal.

The three open spaces at the Columbia location reflect Busboys and Poets’ mission to welcome open minds. “There is a very large space in the middle with a central bar, and garage doors that open during nice weather. The upstairs will have a beautiful large private room named after the great Poet Laureate of the State of Maryland Lucille Clifton. This should be a really exciting place for people to have an author’s panel, discussions, poetry, and certainly music and other types of programming.” As an example, on October 23rd, Busboys and Poets is excited to welcome acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni. 

Shallal went on to say, "The smaller conference room, 'The Anti-War Room' holds twelve to twenty people for meetings, private lunches or dinners. There are two large gorgeous terraces, one of which overlooks ColorBurst Park, which will have heaters in the winter and overlook the ice skating rink.” Inclusive events are scheduled nearly every evening. There’s a regular poetry night which is a staple at all Busboys and Poets locations. “We will have authors speaking and signing books, and panel discussions on issues important to the community. For example, Howard County is going through a redistricting process for their schools. That gives us a chance to bring the different stakeholders together and really have a discussion about it, so they’re not just talking about it in living rooms away from each other.” 

Performance art won’t be the only thing on display. Walls will feature local artists, with the highlight being one of Shallal’s iconic murals focused on the history of Busboys and Poets. The Merriweather District is a natural hub for music performances with Merriweather Post Pavilion a stone's throw away. Busboys and Poets will foster a smaller venue for more intimate performances with programming constantly evolving to meet the community’s needs. “We have a space for everything, from private meetings, weddings, parties, birthdays, family celebrations, gatherings, whatever... we have the space for it.” The staff of Busboys and Poets reflects its mission -- diverse, friendly, and engaging. There will be open house interview sessions for locals, and you can find updates on their website and social media. But whether you are a job-seeker, a creator looking for a stage, or just yearn for the free exchange of ideas with your neighbors -- Busboys and Poets is for you. See you there this fall!





Photography Credit:
Imiivo
Busboys and Poets