Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Eddie Maamry

Morocco native Abdel Jalil "Eddie" Maamry was working on a cruise ship when he met JoAnne, the woman who would become his wife. She was from Pennsylvania and lived in Louisville, and after two years of a long-distance relationship, he joined her here in what he calls "a big small city."In May of 2007 he opened Road to Morocco, a restaurant and bar on the first floor of the Henry Clay building, downtown. He served Mediterranean food and sold imported goods like carpets, glassware, jewelry and home decorations from Morocco.Eddie says location, along with the economic downturn that affected most businesses, is responsible for the failure of Road to Morocco, and wonders if his business would have seen more success had it been in the Highlands or a neighborhood that might be more interested in ethnic foods.WFPL's Phillip M. Bailey sat down with Eddie at Sullivan University, where he is now a full-time professor, teaching Hotel-Restaurant Management & Beverage Management.Find out more about our Immigrant Entrepreneur series