Global Arab Network | Brokers coffeehouse - A glimpse at historical business in Kuwait

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Brokers coffeehouse - A glimpse at historical business in Kuwait

Global Arab Network - - Hannan Taha

Saturday, 29 May 2010 14:11

Laying at the heart of Al-Mubarakiya Heritage Souk, just about 20 meters after crossing the gate of Al-Gharabally Souk in downtown Kuwait is the "brokers' coffeehouse"; a shabby-looking, yet still-in-business canteen that was established in the early 1900s.

A true historical site, the coffeehouse earned its name for several reasons; namely its location, where it had always been, and still is - surrounded by real-estate brokerage offices.

The second reason stems from the fact that almost every stockbroker in downtown Kuwait passes by for a small cup of tea (Istikana) or to discuss a deal in the making with counterparts and potential clients.

Ironically, the coffeehouse does not serve coffee, as its menu, so to speak, is limited to tea, lemon tea, cinnamon tea, cold beverages and the traditional tobacco water pipe, or "qidow," explained co-owner of the coffee place, Khalid Zamani, to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

"My father, the late Abdullah Zamani, bought the business from a gentleman named Mohammad Sharif Al-Awadhi some 55 years ago, when at least 12 coffee servers were working in the coffee shop, mostly delivering orders to nearby shops," Zamani said, adding that "so many people come up to us with ideas to renovate the place, yet we are keen to maintain it as it is due to its historic and sentimental value." The alley where the coffeehouse is located used to be called the "Hay Market", where farmers in the past would come and sell their haystacks. In the 1970s and 1980s, the area surrounding the coffeehouse was, and still is in a way, a gathering point for stockbrokers who are seeking new clients and passing tips around about new companies to be listed in the stock market.

"In some way it saddens me that heritage authorities are not paying as much attention to old professions that still exist, such as brokerage and real estate business, by placing them under the umbrella of the National Council of Culture, Arts and Letters," Zamani said.

"I'm not against allocating coffee places for other old professions like pearl-diving and fishing, but these jobs have vanished," he explained, adding that groups of American business associates have recently visited the brokers' coffeehouse and were "astonished" by its authenticity, as back walls of the place are still made with sea rocks.

He carried on saying "there used to be a 'deer head' hung over one of the coffeehouse's walls, with every seasoned customer having a different story to tell about it." Busy as always, the brokers' coffeehouse is looking for yet another 100 years in business as long as stocks are being bought and sold and as long as Al-Mubarakiya Souk stands tall. (KUNA)

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