In 1999, an extreme earthquake struck near Istanbul, Turkey. AJ Demir grabbed his sisters and mother and rushed from their home to safety. It was a devastating event that would change the course of AJ's life forever. Within a year, they left Turkey and joined AJ’s father in Connecticut, where he had begun building a future in the restaurant business. At 18, AJ joined his father in the business. For the next 14 years, he rotated among the three restaurants his father had started, learning every aspect of the business.  

Anxious to work for himself, AJ bought a pizzeria in Hartly and moved to Delaware. AJ ran the business for a year but soon grew homesick, sold the restaurant, moved back to Connecticut and ultimately the family business. However, his desire to be an entrepreneur never disappeared.

In 2018, his cousin called him and said there was a building for sale in Greenwood that had previously been home to a restaurant. Understanding the pizza business as he did, AJ moved to Greenwood and started another pizzeria. But within a year, he sold his share of the business to his partners and became the general manager for Popeye’s in Milford. Soon, homesickness took him back to Connecticut about the time the pandemic began to disrupt the restaurant industry. 

In 2023, AJ was ready to try again, so he moved to Long Neck to get back in the restaurant business. This time, he did it without any partners. When AJ heard the former Preshy’s Restaurant in Midway was for sale, he saw the chance he was waiting for. After some extended negotiations, AJ agreed to buy the business and the equipment, signing a lease in May 2024. His wife, Gizen, designed the space, and they opened the doors of the Midway Cafe within the month.

“I learned that I am happier when I don’t have partners, so it is just my wife and I that own the business,” he said.

Despite the crowded market for restaurants in coastal Delaware, AJ believes there is room for an affordable restaurant serving good down-home food. As we talked, he pointed out the number of seniors who were eating in the restaurant and noted they were representative of the population in the area looking for value in their dining experiences.

He proudly pointed me to the sign greeting his customers when they walk through the door that highlighted the day’s special entrée, with soup or salad, a soft drink and a dessert, all for just $16.

“Where else in this area can you get a full meal for that price?” he asked.

In addition to affordable prices, AJ greets his customers when they come in, most of whom he knows. While his menu features mostly American-style dishes with an occasional Turkish selection, one can normally find Turkish coffee on the menu. 

Like so many restaurants in the area, AJ is always looking for good people. Currently, he has six employees, but usually has five to 10 people working there.

“Finding servers in our area can be a challenge," he said. "It used to be that younger people liked to fill those jobs, but now we find the average age is around 40 years old.”

It’s also a challenge for servers to find affordable housing options in the area; some commute as many as 45 miles each way.  

“We are not a franchise, so this is my one shot to be successful," AJ said.

For AJ, that means carefully managing his budget. Many restaurants advertise heavily, which he acknowledges can be expensive. AJ feels fortunate that the best advertising for Midway Cafe has been word of mouth, while his wife manages an active social media presence. 

AJ is grateful for the support he has received from the community and feels it is important to give back. Even with a tight budget, he is happy to donate gift certificates for charity auctions and local fundraising events. 

One of the most important lessons from the restaurant business came from his father, who told him many years ago that if he was not willing and able to do every job in the restaurant, he shouldn’t be in that business.

"There will be days when an employee will not be there, and you will have to step into that role to make sure your business can operate," he said.

When asked about any advice he would give his 18-year-old self, it would be to remember to be patient.

“Sometimes you must wait for things to happen,” he said. “If you work hard and you are patient, good things will come your way.”

For AJ, that patience has helped him build the Midway Café with a focus on customers and good food at a fair price.