Lincoln Restaurant Thrives by Staying Open on Labor Day
Source: KLKN-TV Lancaster County. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
On a day when many Americans fire up grills or head to the lake, the kitchen at Pita and Naan on Lincoln’s south side is already humming. The family-owned restaurant, known for its Middle Eastern fare, chooses to remain open for nearly every major holiday, including Labor Day. For owner Omar Attaie, the decision is less about profit and more about purpose.
“I’m happy to be at the restaurant. I’m also happy to spend time at home, but it’s the sense of community,” he said, standing near the sizzling grill.
Labor Day, established to honor the economic contributions of American workers, has become a long weekend of leisure. But at Pita and Naan, the holiday means extra traffic. Attaie reports a 15% to 20% bump in sales, driven largely by families looking for a place to gather. Many of those customers are visiting from out of town, returning to Lincoln for the holiday and bringing along relatives.
“And then every other person that’s come in today has also said, thanks for being open on Labor Day, and something like that means a lot to us, that makes us confirm our decision of staying open,” Attaie said.
The restaurant’s menu features classics like gyros and newer favorites such as butter chicken. On Labor Day, the kitchen prepared these specialties in larger batches, anticipating the crowd. For Attaie, the best part is watching multigenerational families share meals. “It’s really cool, especially on holidays, to see a lot of people come back to town. They’ll bring their grandkids in and give them their first gyro that they’ve ever had,” he said.
Behind the counter, Mahboob Attaie, Omar’s father, moves with the ease of four decades of experience. Mahboob has been in the restaurant business for 40 years and says the customers keep him energized. “I love my job and I work every day here, either holiday, Christmas time, Thanksgiving and Labor Day,” he said. His dedication has made him a familiar face across the neighborhood. “If I’m out of the store, going down the block, 10 people call me asking, ‘Where are you? Who’s running the store?’” he joked.
The restaurant also knows how to connect with the local sports scene. On Sunday night, Pita and Naan posted a photo on Facebook showing Mahboob alongside Nebraska volleyball player Rebekah Allick. The move was a nod to Husker fans waiting through a delayed game. “We were watching the Volleyball game last night and the game kept getting delayed and we saw all the Huskers on their hands and knees trying to make sure the game goes on, that they could play,” Omar described. “And they were doing whatever it takes to be there for their fans, for their community and it was just a fun way to announce that we’re staying open and we’re there for the community too.”
For the Attaie family, staying open on a holiday like Labor Day is a deliberate choice to remain woven into the fabric of Lincoln. It is not about sacrificing rest—it is about celebrating the work that binds a community together. As Omar put it, the gratitude of customers “makes us confirm our decision.” And on a day dedicated to the American labor force, that confirmation feels especially fitting.
Article commentary
Pita and Naan’s decision to stay open on Labor Day offers a window into how small, family-owned businesses navigate the tension between tradition and community service. While the holiday is widely observed as a day off, the restaurant’s choice underscores a broader reality: for many entrepreneurs, especially those in the food industry, holidays represent opportunities rather than interruptions. The 15% to 20% sales increase reported by owner Omar Attaie is not unusual—studies have shown that restaurants open on holidays often capture spending from families seeking convenience or a communal dining experience. Yet the narrative here is not purely economic. The Attaie family frames their choice as a gesture of belonging, a way to be “there for the community.” That sentiment resonates with a growing trend where consumers reward businesses that align with their values, especially local establishments that prioritize connection over profit. Mahboob Attaie’s 40-year career highlights another layer: the immigrant entrepreneur’s work ethic. For many first-generation business owners, the line between work and life is deliberately blurred. The restaurant is not just a job; it is a legacy, a place where family and customers intertwine. Mahboob’s joking comment about being called back if he leaves the store reveals a deep-seated commitment that goes beyond the balance sheets. This kind of dedication is common in ethnic restaurants, where the business often serves as a cultural hub. Pita and Naan’s Facebook post featuring Nebraska volleyball star Rebekah Allick further illustrates how these businesses integrate into local identity, leveraging sports fandom to reinforce community ties. From a labor perspective, the story raises interesting questions about the meaning of the holiday itself. Labor Day was created to honor workers’ contributions, yet for many service workers, the day means working harder. The Attaie family’s perspective—that staying open is a celebration, not a burden—offers an alternative view. It suggests that for some, the act of working on a holiday can be a form of participation in the community’s rhythm. However, it is worth noting that this model relies on the family’s willingness to sacrifice personal time. Not every employee shares that choice, and the restaurant’s ability to operate likely depends on its family structure, where owners absorb the extra hours. Objectively, the story reflects a microcosm of the American small-business landscape. The 15% to 20% sales bump aligns with broader retail trends where holiday hours yield higher per-customer spending. But the emotional payoff—the thanks from customers, the joy of introducing a child to a first gyro—is harder to quantify. It is that intangible reward that keeps the Attaie family coming back, year after year. In a time when holiday closures are becoming more common, Pita and Naan’s stance is a reminder that for some businesses, staying open is the most meaningful way to honor the day.