our Story

A Legacy Beginning Over 100 Years Ago

In 1911, Michal Naffah’s father, Assad, emigrated to the United States from Lebanon at age 13. As the oldest child in his family, he was sent to start a new life here, earn a living and send money back home to help pay off his family’s mortgages in Lebanon which he eventually did.

Naffah Family Photo in 1963 Dressed in Nice Clothing
Assad Naffah Portrait Photo

It all started on
Hillman Street

He worked in a few different factories and eventually earned enough money to purchase a little grocery store on Hillman Street in Youngstown, called A.F. Naffah Grocery & Meats. In the 1930s, he purchased farmland in Canfield, which was at that time considered “the middle of nowhere.” That area today is situated on Route 224 and became the foundation of Naffah Hospitality.

After his father’s death in 1969, the family struggled to hold on to the piece of property. They were able to do so by building a driving range and, eventually, were able to add more businesses and better develop the property.

Move into the Hospitality Industry

The need for a hotel in Canfield was the first problem Michal felt needed to be addressed. They were able to tie the Hampton Inn & Suites Canfield into The Embassy Banquet Centre in Boardman to become a one-stop-shop for those hosting an event at The Embassy with guests able to stay at the Hampton.

Naffah Family Photo Outside of Hampton Inn and Suites Hotel in Canfield
Naffah Family Photo inside of Hampton Inn and Suites in Canfield, Ohio

Where We are Today

Additional businesses joined the Naffah Hospitality group later including Inner Circle Pizza and The Villas on Macy Lane both in Canfield, and Shale Tavern & Grille in Lisbon. According to Michal, hospitality was important to his father and continues to be the driving force behind the businesses today. Providing a welcoming, positive experience to everyone who visits one of their establishments is something the family stresses to every member of their team.

As I was growing up from when we were little, our home was always open to all of our friends, to family, to anybody that wanted to stop by, explained Naffah. We'd have 30, 40 people here every Sunday and we'd have tables sitting outside and inside, and my parents would cook for everybody. And I learned hospitality from my parents, obviously Lebanese are very hospitable and our family just… that's what we did.
Michal Naffah
President