Editor’s Note: In Business is an occasional Journal-World series profiling area companies. If you’d like your business to be profiled, contact business editor Chad Lawhorn at 832-6362 or clawhorn@ljworld.com

Business name: Aladdin Cafe

Address: 1021 Mass.

Phone: 832-1100

Owner: Mohammed Iskandrani

Employees: 10

Years in business: 8

Briefly explain what your business does:

Aladdin Cafe is a restaurant in downtown Lawrence that serves a variety of Mediterranean cuisine.

What drew you to locate your business in Lawrence?

“The diversity brought by the campus and the ethnic acceptance of the community,” Iskandrani said.

What advice do you have for people starting a small business?

“The best advice is to be honest and support your local businesses and learn from them.”

What challenges to business does Lawrence need to address:

Iskandrani said he thought the major challenge facing the community was for residents to do a better job of supporting Lawrence businesses.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest score, how would you rank Lawrence’s overall business climate, such as current economic conditions, ease of doing business, growth potential and other factors?

“A seven. Although the current economic conditions have hindered our business, Lawrence gives businesses the opportunity to grow,” Iskandrani said.