March 2015 155 www.bahrainthismonth.com A Hidden Treasure YATEEM CENTRE Bab Al Bahrain is a shopping haven for unique items that cannot be found elsewhere on the island. The souq has a variety of shops, waiting to be discovered. What makes the souq interesting for most visitors is the diverse culture and the plethora of shops and little treasures tucked away in a corner or back alley, which tempts people to come back and explore it further. Building on these ideas, there has been a recent announcement of the development of a ‘Little India’ in the area south of Bab Al Bahrain. The Yateem Centre is ahead of the ball in this concept, having introduced Al Adil supermarkets last year. This is an authentic rags-toriches story of an Indian barrow boy who has risen onto the region’s rich list through selling authentic, freshly ground flours and spices in his shops, even featuring a mill in every location. He opened his first shop in Dubai and has now expanded into Bahrain as part of a pan-Gulf expansion, with the Yateem Centre playing a lead role. The opening of the Indian Embassy’s passport services on the top floor of the shopping centre has given even more reason for Indians and Indophiles to visit the Yateem Centre. It is a convenient location and the basement car park is an absolute boon to visitors. “We have seen a definite uplift in business in the Yateem Centre. There are substantially more people visiting the passport office and we also have a number of new stores and services opened in response,” says centre manager Andrew Petty. “However, our newest tenant is completely unrelated and is the Dragon’s Den Gym, which offers a modern fitness opportunity to the central Manama business community. With its extended opening hours from early morning to late evening, there is no excuse of being stuck in the office.” Call 17 215-615.
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