Meet Gena Haidar | Cafe Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gena Haidar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gena, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is often underrated, a true underdog to many situations. For me, risk taking is not synonymous to irresponsibility or recklessness but a foundational opportunity to face fears, helping me become adaptable and resilient to life’s surprises. Taking risks really is also an opportunity to honor my past as well as my parents who risked their lives to make a better life for me by immigrating to the United States from Lebanon. Risk taking presents itself in many ways and in my case it was to explore and fulfill the idea of having my own business. This decision came to me as a late bloomer but I am beyond excited for finally dipping into my passion to pull those risk taking mental notes from past experiences to leap into entrepreneurship. The process will be uncomfortable, requiring grit and patience but it’s absolutely worth the ride!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At the start of the pandemic (like many others) the quarantine had become a mental space for me to really reflect on my life. One of those reflections was entertaining the idea of pursuing an opportunity in opening my own business. The idea of owning a cafe has been a dream for some time, entrepreneurship has been a backbone to my family history. Cedar Rose Cafe is a gathering place for guests, to join in good times, fun spirit, elegance and hospitality. Hospitality is one of the strongest characteristics of the Lebanese people, for which I am proud to be a part of. It was also time to transition out of my current career as it was really mostly a position I chose to make myself and my schedule flexible to my daughters while they were in school and their dad’s obligation to the Marine Corps. During this phase of life my time was most committed to being a parent. Cedar Rose is inspired both by family roots and nuances of being a Lebanese American woman growing up in America in the early 80’s and late 90’s. A really important take away through this process is acknowledging that collaborating with other small businesses is truly essential to being successful in this industry, it is not too far-fetched to say we need each other. It has taken some time to arrive at my current destination and for that reason I know that every ounce of dedication is presented in each sip or bite for our guests. We offer a variety of specialty drinks with tea, lemonade, soda or pineapple bases. Our syrups are house made and infused with cardamom, rose buds and honey. The spices we use are most common to Lebanon’s mountainous regions and are paired in a variety of ways to accessorize a familiar drink while still introducing a new flavor. I see Cedar Rose as an opportunity to provide something unique, inclusive and retrospective.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I definitely enjoy the variety San Diego has to offer but I would likely begin with a train ride to San Luis Obispo and explore the Mission and as quirky as my friends can be checkout the Bubblegum wall and the architectural graveyard. I enjoy traveling by public transportation, getting on the trolley I find convenient and down to earth. We would do some beach camping in Carlsbad and hit up Campfire restaurant to keep with the theme.
Hike some trails like Cowles Mountain and Iron Mountain. Visit the coastal areas further north to Pebbles Beach. Go to the desert like Ocotillo Wells.
Visit some favorite brunch places like Parkhouse Eatery & Great Maple. Other restaurant favorites: Sabor Brazilian Grill, Fairouz Cafe, Mamas Lebanese Bakery. We also can’t have a true San Diego experience without tacos preferably Salud and The Taco Stand for a few trips 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, without hesitation, my father. My father was the first influential business minded man in my life and his ideologies trickled down to myself and my brother who is also a business owner. Although my father passed when I was 20, I carry with me so much of his characteristics and tenacity. Secondly, to my brother who has been a sounding board to my inquiries and offering his advice when I request it. My daughters have been at the height of all the decisions I make so I could not leave them out of this equation, they have been a testament of true love. I am fortunate to have loved ones consistently making themselves present in my life and have often shown kindness during turbulent times and for these reasons I will continue to find ways of paying it forward. I hope to utilize my business not only as a gathering place but also as an avenue to carry out those ways of paying it forward.

Website: www.cedarrosecafe.com

Instagram: @cedarrosecafe

Facebook: Cedar Rose Cafe