Rania Sleiman has a genuine affection for her customers, most of whom she knows by name. “They are more than neighbours,” she said. “They are more like friends.”
“I’ll especially miss the bakers next door,” Rania said. “Tovy and Bun at PT Crown Bakery have been so good to us and to the children.” Tovy feels the same way. Invited to comment, she choked back tears and said, “I can’t imagine being here without them.”
George said: “I just want to thank everybody for their support of the business and the family.”
The Sleiman family traces its ancestry to El-Koura in north Lebanon. George was born there and came to Sydney when he was 11 years old. Rania attended high school in El-Koura.
The family is moving to Belmore. The children will attend school at Dulwich Hill. Samara is excited at the prospect. Growing up in and around the shop has encouraged in her a joyful curiosity and confidence. One customer said: “Samara is really smart, she will love going to school.”
Rania is looking forward to weekends. “We’ve never really had weekends,” she said. “And the kids can play sports and other hobbies. It will be so different. It will take us a while to adjust I think, but it will be good for us.”
One long-time customer said: “I’ll be sad to see them go, I’ll miss their friendly shop, and I wish them all the best.” Another recalled countless purchases of Lebanese bread, bananas, lentils, avocados and hummus, soy milk, walnuts and dried figs: “It’s a special place – I appreciate all the hours they put in, being so available day after day, being so generous and kind. I wish them every happiness.”
The Sleimans have leased the shop to proprietors of an art gallery and showroom, set to open this month. “It will be something new,” Rania said. “We’ll be back in a little while to see what’s happening there – and we’ll be back to see our friends, too. We’ll still be around sometimes.”
