| By New Haven Register

Creating Community Space Through Coffee Culture

Siblings Valeed and Salman Hussain have realized their vision of introducing flavors from their homeland to customers through Arwa Yemeni Coffee, a halal coffee establishment located at 335 Orange St. The shop represents a branch of a Texas-based franchise network.

More Than Just Coffee: Building a Gathering Place

Beyond serving beverages, the brothers sought to establish an environment where individuals could pursue studies and engage in meaningful conversations. While the coffeehouse provides takeaway service, they intentionally designed it to be more than a quick-service location.

“We embrace this concept of establishing an environment where anyone can enter and, regardless of their purpose—whether pursuing academic work, socializing with companions, or sharing a father-daughter outing—they discover this kind of welcoming space where everyone feels at ease,” Valeed Hussain explained.

Yemen’s Historic Coffee Legacy

Coffee holds deep cultural significance in Yemen, a nation recognized globally as among the earliest coffee cultivators in human history, according to information provided on the franchise’s website.

This historical connection adds authentic cultural depth to the brothers’ venture, allowing them to share not just beverages but also the rich traditions and heritage associated with Yemeni coffee preparation and consumption.

Source:

Braden, S. (2026). Brothers open halal coffee shop bringing taste of their home and Yemeni coffee culture to New Haven. New Haven Register. https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/arwa-yemeni-coffee-shop-new-haven-halal-21256690.php