Like father. Like son.
Now living thousands of miles from his birthplace, Hatem Shteiwi follows his father’s advice that he learned many years ago. Shteiwi owns and operates two Gold Star Chili franchises — one in Mason, the other on Oxford State Road in Middletown — and his heart is bigger than a plate of four-way chili. When it comes to helping children, the man can’t say no.
When the Louella Thompson Feed the Hungry Christmas giveaway needed food for children, the first call was to Gold Star. The restaurant fed the children, their parents and community volunteers. Shteiwi said the restaurant served about 900 cheese coneys, valued at $1,700, and the restaurant’s corporate office supplied the drinks. The restaurant has helped dozens of other organizations, churches, active military, sports teams and hosted a fundraiser years ago for a young woman who couldn’t afford a liver transplant.
The all-day fundraiser generated $5,000, thanks in part to Shteiwi’s generosity, and the woman had her transplant a few months later. After her surgery, she sent Shteiwi some silk flowers that are still sitting on the counter.
“You can never replace that feeling,” he said. “It’s a great feeling knowing that you made a small difference in a life.”
By small difference he means life or death.
Shteiwi prefers to help others without any fanfare. It’s not about him, he says. But that’s exactly what it’s about. There are lots of restaurant owners. There are only a few like Hatem Shteiwi.
“If I don’t help,” he said, “things won’t change.”
Shteiwi moved from Jordan to the Cincinnati area when he was 15, and immediately started washing dishes in the Springdale Gold Star that was owned by his older brother, Rick. He eventually advanced to the steam table, graduated from Princeton High School in 1985, then paid for night college classes by working days.
But he never left Gold Star.
“In the blood,” he said.
His entire family shares the same DNA. Shteiwi said there was a time when all 10 of his siblings — three brothers, seven sisters — worked in the restaurant business. His family owns Spinning Fork Restaurants in Fairfield and Middletown, Dad’s Restaurant and The Stand in Middletown, and Mia Restaurant and Dipaolos Catering in Oxford.
Basically, if you’re eating in Butler County, you’re supporting the Shteiwi family.
In return, the family supports you.
“This is a great community,” he said. “It feels right.”
He took over the Oxford State location in 1998, and in the 17 years since, sales have increased 120 percent, making it one of the top five performing restaurants out of the 100 in the Cincinnati area.
The success comes with a steep price. His wife, Zena, works in the restaurant about 30 hours a week, and Shteiwi estimates he works 60 to 70 hours a week, most of them in the restaurant lobby on Oxford State or driving between Middletown and Mason.
It’s no wonder he treats his employees and customers like family.
“This is a neighborhood chili parlor,” he said. “It’s not about the dollar signs or the numbers.”
When he’s out in the Middletown and Trenton communities, he’s sometimes recognized by his regulars. If they don’t know his name, they call him “Chili Man.”
That brought a smile to his face.
“You feel like you are home,” he said.
Just then, Abby Decker, 5, bounced into Gold Star a few steps ahead of her grandmother. Carrying a large bag, she ran over to Shteiwi like they hadn’t seen each other in years, not weeks.
“What’s in the bag?” asked Shteiwi, who turned 48 the previous day.
“I can’t tell you,” she said. “It’s for you and it’s a secret.”
That pretty much ended the interview. His customers, his family awaited.
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