Calgary-based Syrian soap company to open location at West Edmonton Mall

Abdulfatah Sabouni says he thought he lost everything when the Syrian war broke out, but says Canada has given him a new chance.

Calgary — The owner of a company that crafts soap using techniques perfected hundreds of years ago in Syria is expanding his business to Edmonton this week.

Aleppo Savon, which already has two retail stores in Calgary, will be opening its third location at West Edmonton Mall this Saturday.

Abdulfatah Sabouni, a fourth-generation soap maker, came to Canada four years ago as a refugee and set up his own shop in Calgary to create his hand-crafted soap using his family's secret recipe involving laurel and olive oil.

He says the factory manufactures about 300 kg of soap each day using completely natural ingredients.

In the future, Sabouni hopes to have stores all across Canada providing customers with his unique products.

"I'm very happy to welcome everyone to the opening of our new location and introduce more Canadians to the soap my ancestors made in Syria," Sabouni said in a release. "I'm so grateful for the support of the Canadian people."

You can learn more about the grand opening event at the West Edmonton Mall location on its Facebook page.