Six months and about $70,000 in repairs later, Caravan Kebab has reopened. Now, it’s struggling to get the word out.
EDMONDS, Wash. — Two months after reopening, an Edmonds restaurant owner says business remains slow following a devastating crash that forced him to close.
Shahzad Raja reopened Caravan Kebab in late September, six months after a suspected drunk driver slammed into his restaurant on March 20. Despite loyal customers returning, he is still struggling to spread the word that he’s back open.
“It’s still tough, but I know we’re going to make it,” Raja said.
The crash occurred early that morning on the 9700 block of Firdale Avenue, leaving a gaping hole in the building that also houses Salon Meow, a cat grooming business. Edmonds police arrested a 24-year-old Shoreline man on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Raja discovered the damage when he arrived to open his restaurant.
“Oh, it was so crazy when they walk in and I see all kitchen building, center wall equipment was completely damaged — it was terrible,” he said.
The collision caused about $70,000 in damage to Raja’s restaurant, destroying walls, equipment and forcing a complete rebuild of the kitchen. The building’s exterior and structural repairs were covered by the landlord.
For six months, the restaurant sat closed while Raja navigated contractors, city permits and insurance claims. Unable to work while coordinating repairs, he took out a loan to survive.
Despite this, the community rallied. Regulars launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised about $30,000 to help Raja replace equipment and supplies.
“I wasn’t expecting [it],” Raja said. “I am so happy that they support me. I feel that this is my home and those are my relatives.”
While loyal customers like Wes Dyring and his wife, who have been coming for a decade, have returned, Raja needs more traffic to fully recover.
“We were hoping for him to open soon. We just kept coming back and checking,” said Gala Lindvall, an eight-year regular. “How do you keep a restaurant when you can’t be open?”
After 15 years serving Mediterranean, Indian and European cuisine in Edmonds, Raja remains optimistic.
