A Libyan Dream

Revolution reshaped Libya in 1969, changing the way its people and the government did business. Political parties were banned and the country has long been listed as a sponsor of terrorism.

This is the land that Mohamed Gumati, owner of the International Cafe in Columbia, once knew. In 1977, Gumati moved from Libya to attend Lindenwood University in St. Charles.

“I originally wanted to just get my degree and move back to Libya to help my father with his business,” Gumati said. “But I got a call from my father telling me that if I did, I would probably end up in the army.”

Gumati said that fulfilling his aspirations in Libya would not be possible.

“There, they try to cut your dreams down,” he said.

Not wanting to be a part of his home’s regime change, Gumati continued his studies and started working in a small Greek restaurant.

A friend asked Gumati to come to Columbia to help him manage a restaurant he was opening.

“When I came here, Columbia was a very small town with very few options,” Gumati said.

His friend’s restaurant saw little business and soon closed. This was when Gumati decided, with the help of his wife, Elizabeth, to open his business at 209 Hitt St.

“Starting out, it was very hard,” Gumati said. “It was like a homeless area, with empty buildings all around me.”

In the 15 years Gumati has been in Columbia, he said much has changed.

“It’s grown up a lot; now it’s like a small version of a big city,” Gumati said.

Rick Hocks, a customer of the International Cafe from its beginning, is quick to praise its food and service.

“They have really excellent food, it’s not very expensive, and they’re really nice people,” Hocks said. He added that he doesn’t eat out often, but, “when I do, this is usually where I come.”

Hocks has sampled many things on the cafe’s diverse menu, but said the chicken shish kabob is his favorite.

The International Cafe has many foods that make it unique. Gumati said that the food he offers is a mix of Arabic and Greek. With items such as “saganki” (fried cheese with a soft center), and “dolmathes” (stuffed grape leaves), the cafe might leave your stomach filled but your tongue tied.

“The food is delicious, but I don’t know how to say it,” customer Tyler Wellington said.

For Gumati now, business is good. He caters parties, weddings or any group that requests it. Gumati is also considering expanding to have a coffee shop side that would offer assorted desserts from around the world.

Gumati said he’s happy with the way things are going.

“It’s a real blessing that I came to Columbia,” he said.