In Holly Hills, Mary Issa brings a taste of her home cooking to South St. Louis with Leona Market.
The Mediterranean bakery and grocery store offers much more than meets the eye. In addition to shelves stocked with everyday necessities and snacks, the corner store specializes in handmade sweet and savory pastries, deli-style sandwiches, soup of the day, and desserts.
Issa came to St. Louis with her sons in 2015 and launched her own business, SunRise Catering. In her native Bethlehem in the West Bank, she previously worked as a boarding school teacher. During the day, Issa taught mathematics, and during afternoon classes, she instructed students on how to cook from scratch.
Photo by Mabel Suen
For 10 years, Issa made use of her culinary skills as a professional cook at a St. Louis senior home. She also gained industry experience working at local Mediterranean restaurants. When the opportunity arose to start her own family business, Issa knew she’d found the ideal place to showcase the recipes and techniques she’d perfected over the years.
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Photo by Mabel Suen
Photo by Mabel Suen
Growing up, Issa always enjoyed preparing pastry for her family and celebrations. At Leona Market, she offers a rotating daily selection that includes treats such as baklava and sweet pastry dough filled with apples, chocolate, cinnamon, pistachio, or dates. Savory pastries include za’atar cheese or meat sambusas; a vegetarian mini pizza with olives and green onions; and kubbeh made with cracked wheat, ground beef, and onion.
Another highlight features a casual take on a traditional Mediterranean dish: chicken musahab. Issa takes shredded chicken and presses it between hoagie bread with your choice of toppings for a hot panini that has become a customer favorite. Grab-and-go goods include tabouli and hummus, while prepared desserts include tiramisu and cannoli.
In the spring, Issa hopes to add patio furniture so that guests can relax and enjoy her cooking on site for a cafe-style experience. For now, she prepares her baked goods and wholesome fare for anyone who wants to stop by for a quick bite on the go.
“I love the area, and the neighborhood is so supportive,” says Issa, who proudly calls Holly Hills her home. “We hope the business will grow.”
Leona Market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Leona Market, 5701 Leona St., St. Louis, 469-620-9947, facebook.com/leona.market
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Dining and Cooking