Kabul thrives following summer relocation

Although construction of The Hub cost Kabul Restaurant its streetside location on State Street, owner Hamed Zafari said he is making things work.

Zafari said despite the unexpected relocation of hisAfghani-Mediterranean restaurant to an upstairs space across the street, he has added a full bar and other new features that are bringing customers back to the beloved Madison spot.

The restaurant has been on State Street for 25 years, butwas forced to relocate after its original location under University Inn was torn down last spring in order to build The Hub.

The new location is larger and has new features like a full bar, something that Zafari said he has always wanted. He also said he wants to add late-night menus and bring live music in on the weekends.

One month into the semester and Kabul is still finding success in its new second-floor spot above candy store ITSUGAR.Zafari said he would have preferred to be on the first floor due to foot traffic on State Street, but said it has not affected business too much.

People are still finding us because they missed Kabul. Theyre going out of their way, theyre doing whatever they have to do to find it, he said. Weve had a tremendous amount of support, a lot of people have come back and expressed how happy they are that we are open again.

The restaurant had the option to stay in the previous location, but Zafari said they would have had to wait two years to reopen with doubled rent. Zafari said the restaurant would not be able to survive a change like that without increasing prices significantly.

Zafari said staying near campus was important to him because of all the students and faculty that come in.

We were scrambling to find a space, and I really wanted to stay close to campus, he said. I didnt see myself moving too far away, or going to the Square even. Professors and students have limited time, and I know they wouldnt walk all the way to the square, they just dont have the time.

Zafari described the construction process as a nightmare, spending almost double what they intended to, but he is happy with the new location.

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Kabul thrives following summer relocation