For over 30 years, Small World Restaurant has been a cornerstone of downtown Napa. Its walls are adorned with photos of local leaders, city employees, and Little League teams it has sponsored. A large banner outside reads: “Together we are strong.” Mike named the restaurant “Small World” to have a community with all races. “I want people from everywhere in the world to eat here and to show how the world is so small.”
Owner “Mike” Ali Musa offers jobs to people in need because “every person in this community needs a chance.” Many of his staff have been with him for over twenty years. Small World also operates on an honor system: diners order their Middle-Eastern-inspired meal, enjoy it, then simply tell the cashier what they had and pay. “Trust your customers and they will trust you, too.”
Over the years the space has not changed much. Mike jokes “Like they say: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Mike was given a chance to purchase the space by his former landlord. “My goal was to own my own business. My luck ended up in this building.”
Today, his sons help to run the restaurant. “We’re going to keep serving the people of Napa Valley, hopefully for generations.”
Story and photo of Mike Musa by Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio.
