Vandalized Middle Eastern Bakery Receives Outpouring Of Support
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The owner of a Middle Eastern bakery in Central Phoenix found his business’ windows smashed this weekend – for the second time since the election, he says. Now, the community has rallied to his side.
Isam Saed smiled as he stood outside his business Monday afternoon and spoke to a crowd of supporters, customers and just about every news outlet in town.
He’s so fortunate “to have the support of the neighborhood, the people of the city,” Saed said. “And Phoenix is really full of love, a city of love. And thank you! Thank you, everybody!”
Then Saed had to run back inside to take care of a line of customers that never seemed to get shorter at the Middle Eastern Bakery and Deli.
Many people were there for the first time, thanks to a Facebook post that went viral by loyal customer Marnee Burrus. “Let them know you’re behind them,” Burrus wrote.
Countless Facebook shares and several newspaper articles later, business is booming and a local company called M&M Glass pledged to fix the windows for free.
All day, fans of the business were in and out, some staying to eat or even volunteer to clean up or run food for Saed and his wife, Tina.
Burrus looked overwhelmed by the response.
“I’ve cried like five times since I got here,” she said. “It’s just – it’s wonderful to see the outpouring of support for this amazing family and this amazing bakery.”
Another longtime customer has started a GoFundMe account for Saed, and so far has raised more than $10,000.
Saed says his windows were vandalized Saturday - for the second time since the election. The same day, customer Marnee Burrus wrote a Facebook post about the damage - and the community support started to pour in.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)- Lines were out the door much of the day Monday at the Middle Eastern Bakery in Central Phoenix. Many people said they came because they saw the business trending on Facebook and wanted to help.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ) 
Customers came to restaurant from all over the Valley, like these ladies, who came from Fountain Hills.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)
"My food is full of love," Saed says. "We make it with our heart."
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)- There was a real sense of togetherness between customers Monday, as they waited in line.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ) - Often, the line was out the door. After eating, one woman happily yelled to people still waiting "It's worth it!"
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ) 
It didn't long for the bakery to run out of some favorites.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)
Saed embraces a young customer. "He makes my heart smile," Saed says. "Makes my whole place smile."
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)
A GoFundMe account for Saed has been started, and already has more than $10,000 - including more than $1,000 from Silvana Salcido, owner of the Barrio Cafe, right down the street.
(Photo by Stina Sieg - KJZZ)
