A dispute that started during Ramadan between a northeast Minneapolis restaurant owner and the city has led to allegations of police and city harassment, along with a drop in his business.
Michael Mokhalad, owner of Mrs. Dessert & Kumpir, had sought a temporary license to extend his hours during Ramadan this spring. Such licenses became available in 2015 after the city approved an ordinance allowing businesses to apply to stay open late during the Islamic holy month.
Mokhalad said that although he never heard back from the city about his license application, he stayed open after hours. Now he said he’s looking for a new location after receiving four citations from the city — enforcement that began, according to city records, after a fight and shooting near his business in late March.
He said business has fallen even more since Ramadan, a drop he attributes to a “bad reputation” in the community over his issues with the city. One Google review of the business said his restaurant “has become a hotspot for late night crime, which they refuse to do anything about.”
“Sales have dropped; it’s really, really bad,” Mokhalad said. “People are saying my business is bringing the crime and violence.”
After receiving the four citations for staying open after permitted hours, he said he’s looking for a new location for his restaurant. He said he’s lost two employees who cited concerns about the police presence there.
“Police are harassing me and the rest of the customers and the employees,” Mokhalad said.
Minneapolis police officials declined to comment for this story.