12/22/2024
âThis all started when my husbandâs cousin said, âYou are such a good cook, you should open a restaurant.â It felt like entering the hospitality industry became my responsibility, something I couldnât quite shake. I owed it to those words and to myself. Growing up in India, my mother had a tailor shop, it is where I saw her most. From open to close, she was there. She was an entrepreneur, the breadwinner, and the reason why I never give up. I inherited her determination and sense of responsibility, and without them, I wouldnât be where I am today.
I have a responsibility to my staff, my landlord, my guests, and my family. Despite the terror, I crafted business plan after business plan. Iâve had a bakeshop, a cafĂŠ, a coffee kiosk, sold cookies on Saturday mornings at the farmerâs market, and now, Iâm on my second iteration of Cheeni.
My first Cheeni was a mix of a cafĂŠ and community hub that offered unique Indian cuisine. Someone once told me, âEvery time I come here, I expect to see a line out the door,â but there wasnât one. His words gave me confidence, the belief that a new downtown Durham location could succeed and prosper. I felt responsible for bringing that vision, my vision, to life. Much like my first foray into hospitality, words had a profound impact on me. People believed in me, and I believed in them.
Throughout my life, Iâve been many things: a stay-at-home mom, a teacher, a baker, a caterer. Iâve been burned out, and Iâve had businesses close. But here we are with Cheeni Durham. Still going.
Every day, I get to unlock these doors with my daughters, and we get to work together. I never quite feel out of the woods, but I am so very happy. I aim for my business to sustain my staff and nourish our guests, and we are doing just that.â
â Preeti Waas
Founder: (Cheeni Durham)
Photo series: Life is Service
Pt 13.
Photographed + Interviewed by: Jordan Abdur-Raâoof
