When Feras Nahhas arrived in the United States from Jordan in 1993, he was only 10 years old and didn’t speak a word of English. His family settled in Dearborn, and even though it was a struggle, he managed to get through middle school and high school just fine. He even went on to complete a four-year pre-law degree at Wayne State University. This fortitude would serve him well in the years to come.
The college degree, he says, was mainly to please his parents; academics weren’t his passion. “There's nothing wrong with going to school, but there's also nothing wrong with venturing out on your own.”
Feras was drawn to the world of business and liked working hard. “I started at an early age working at a grocery store sweeping floors six to seven days a week,” he says. Today, at age 42, he’s a successful entrepreneur living his American dream.
Back in 2006, he had the opportunity to enter the gas station business in the Detroit area. “It was with my brother and some partners,” says Feras. “We started with one station and built it to four and then five.”
Around 2016, he decided to get into the bar/restaurant business. He and his business partner and good friend, Alaa Samad, bought Moose's Martini Pub in Dearborn from another friend, Hisam Alawad. “I knew I was buying from an honest guy,” says Feras. “It was established already - he built the name - he built everything. He's one of those guys who is very knowledgeable about the bar business.”
Feras loved the business so much that in 2019, he and his business partner also bought the Old Pony Martini Pub in Grosse Pointe from Hisam. “I went to eat there a couple of times, and I really liked the dynamics. I also like the area and the people.”
It’s a great place to celebrate any occasion, he says, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or a work promotion. It’s a place where people love hanging out - eating and drinking. “It's a real neighborhood bar, and I like intimate, smaller operations where I can get to know my customers and take care of any issues quickly,” he says. “Although I've been here for six years, and I can't recall ever having an issue.”
Feras was so excited, and since the pub was already so successful, he didn’t change anything at first. Business was great, and the pub was busy, but then COVID hit. “That was a big downfall, but I’m not a failure. I'll give something a hundred tries before I give up.”
Instead of closing down, he and his partner began offering carry-out, and Feras, who didn’t know how to cook, took over the grill. “I had never flipped a burger in my life,” he says. “I wasn’t a chef. I just knew how to run a business.”
Fortunately, since he spent so much time in the pub, including in the kitchen, he had learned a lot by observing and was able to pick up the spatula and do the job. “I like to be hands-on, and that's how you keep a business running,” says Feras. “We did what we had to do to pay the bills. We were not going to close or take out another loan.”
Today, the Old Pony Martini Pub is as successful as it was before COVID, and Feras made some upgrades. “We put a nice liquor wall shelf behind the register, and we also put in three new TVs,” he says. “The Detroit sports teams are doing great right now, so people can come in and catch any game they want.”
The food is being prepared once again by a trained chef, and the kitchen stays open until 1:00 am to accommodate any night owls. “All of our food is fresh,” says Feras. “Nothing is frozen. We have a great staff and a great location.”
People, he says, also love a great deal, and although the prices of food and liquor have increased significantly in the last few years, the pub’s prices have barely changed. “You can get a $3 beer or an $8 martini,” he says. “You can have a $4 cheeseburger that is going to fill you up. Our happy hour is amazing too.” Not only is the Old Pony dedicated to the craft of mixology, but it’s also committed to using only the finest ingredients in its cocktails.
Signature martinis, mixed drinks, and a variety of beers are all available all the time. “All of this brings people in and keeps them happy,” he says.
Feras, a self-proclaimed workaholic, has also ventured into real estate. “My partner and I are now into buying housing properties in the Dearborn Heights area. We like to buy houses and rent them out.”
So, where did he get his entrepreneurial spirit? “My dad [Bassam Nahhas] was a welder,” he says. “He had a hard job, and he was always on the go. My dad was a good guy; he was my best friend. He had heart failure and passed away in 2019, and it was really hard on me.”
Feras is now honoring his father by following in his footsteps, carrying on his serious work ethic. He has accomplished so much, and he never gave up on his dreams.
“Whatever your journey and however many times you get turned down, or you fail, you just have to keep going,” he says. “If you love what you're doing, and you're in the right place, you’ll be successful. Also, in order to grow, you have to surround yourself with the right people. My partner is one of my closest friends, and when we started out, we had the same vision, and now we’re still in business together.”
Feras and his partner also make sure the people who work for him are treated well. “That's important when it comes to keeping a business going,” he says. “I really like our employees, and at the Old Pony, most of them have been with us the whole time. We treat them right, and they have no complaints, and they tell me they really like working for us.”
Right now, Feras lives in Dearborn (right across the street from Moose's Martini Pub), but he’s planning on moving closer to Grosse Pointe soon to avoid the 20-minute commute. “I'm not sure where yet, but I’ll make a decision soon.”
He really likes the Grosse Pointes. “They’re good communities and well-maintained,” says Feras. “I wish I could find another bar that's in a similar area with a similar concept because I would do it again.”
He adds, “If you perfect just one thing, and give it all you have, you'll be good at it, and it'll reward you at the end of the day.”
Stop in for a visit, meet Feras, and immerse yourself in the welcoming atmosphere while enjoying a good burger and a beer. Or, if in a more celebratory mood, order some truffle fries and an artisanal martini. Cheers!
“Whatever your journey and however many times you get turned down, or you fail, you just have to keep going.”
“If you perfect just one thing, and give it all you have, you'll be good at it, and it'll reward you at the end of the day.”