The story began with Walid’s passion for collecting old and rare items—a passion he inherited from his father. At first, he collected these items in his home and kept them there. He continued doing this for two years before deciding, along with his family, to open a shop and start selling.
Initially, the shop wasn’t meant to be a purely commercial venture; it was more of a space to house the old objects that Walid loved and cared for.
Later on, when Bob took over managing the shop, he started adding different types of items that appealed to a younger generation, such as old cameras and more. Bob says, “The most beautiful part of this work is the surprises—you never know who might walk into the shop and ask to buy a strange and unique item.” He adds, “When I used to work at a company, I often felt bored due to the routine. But now, every day brings something new.”
Bob is deeply attached to the items in the shop and admits that sometimes he wishes certain pieces wouldn’t sell. As for his father Walid, he believes that time increases the value of things, so he doesn’t feel sad if something doesn’t sell; instead, he waits for it to become more valuable with time. Among the most treasured items they keep in the shop is an old camera from the Soviet Union era, which hasn’t been sold yet and is considered one of the most valuable pieces they own.
Walid also inherited a rare watch from his father, valued at around $6,000, which he still wears all the time. The story of this shop is not just about commerce—it is the tale of a family passionate about collecting old items. Walid and his brothers own several shops specializing in selling antiques, all of which grew from a small love of collecting unique pieces at home into one of the most iconic vintage stores in Beirut.
