Meet the man who runs the 'Greatest Convenience Store on Earth'
Hazem Sedda is probably the most popular man in Redfern.
For the last 15 years, Sedda has been the familiar face for those buying their milk and bread at the Redfern Convenience Store.
He started at the store as a teenager to help out his parents and has been running the store since he was 17 years old.
Sedda’s family moved to Australia from Palestine.
When he arrived in Australia he wanted to be a pilot and used the money he earned at the convenience store to pay for to study aviation.
But as he aged, he realised the convenience store life was what he loved most.
“The store did very well for me and allowed me to pay for my study,” he told Yahoo7.
“The first seven years I was doing 18 hour days, seven days a week”.
While he feels like he may have missed out on many things that the average person enjoys in their early 20s, Sedda’s work ethic allowed him to also start investing in property.
“I love real estate, I bought a lot when I was younger,” he said.
Now 30 years old, his investment decisions have paid off - to the point where he could leave the convenience store if he wanted to.
But he doesn’t.
“I have the money to be comfortable but I love what I do, the convenience store is my life,” he said.
Sedda’s new found free time has allowed him to focus on another passion: weightlifting.
“I try to keep healthy, even with the long hours I manage to get out and go to the gym,” he said.
In the last year he has been training hard as a powerlifter, so much so that in April 2016 he will be competing for the national title.
“I competed last month and am preparing to compete again in Melbourne next year,” he said.
Since starting at the store, Sedda said he has been able to watch people grow from toddlers to teens, and adults to elderly.
“The families don’t move much in Redfern,” he said.
“Anyone who has a party or something they always invite me and share what’s going on with me. They make me apart of their family.
“I go outside and everyone waves at me”.
Sedda has also gained fame on Instagram through posting ‘customer appreciation’ photos.
“It’s just a bit of fun for the community,” he said.
“People love having their photo taken in my shop."
Fortunately, his success has allowed him to cut back a little bit work-wise.
These days he actually gets a weekend.
But in his time off he is usually hanging out at Redfern with his friends.
And while he is currently single, he hopes to meet someone who shared the same work ethic that he has.
“It’s a bit hard to meet someone when you work as much as I do,” he said.
If you're a local and you get a chance, pop in and say hello to Hazem Sedda at Redfern Convenience Store – it’s known as the greatest convenience store on Earth for a reason.
If you're too far away, check it out on Instagram here: @Redfern_Convenience_Store
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