Saliba Market will remain after the Blast
Donation protected
Opened in 1949 by my grandfather Fouad, Saliba Market is and has been a staple of Mar Mikhail street as the first grocery store in the area, one of the three hardest hit areas in the city along with Quarantina and Gemayzeh.
This shop has endured and challenged decades of political and economic instability, including the 15-year-long civil war, playing a communal role in the neighborhood. From around 2005 onwards, a threatening wave of gentrification fueled by vulture developers and greedy landlords has been slowly sweeping the area, raising rents at a frightening rate and forcing many residents and small businesses to evacuate their premises.
Our shop has been one of their priorities due to its vibrant location and the historical (modern-day Lebanon) facade of the building, however we were able to resist and surmount their pressures again and again. Being located at the epicenter at only 1.7 kilometers from the blast of the explosion, the market was severely shattered by the shockwave, destroying most of the inventory, as well as the equipment required by the shop to perform its normal duty. Luckily no one was injured.
Due to the ongoing financial crisis, capital control, and the pandemic, the market was already barely able to support my family and my grandparents, and it is their only source of income. And now the blast came to deal an enormous blow, also shattering their two homes, without alternatives to get back on their feet.
Under such circumstances, the urgency of restoring their shop and livelihood will only be possible through your donations for the time being, since they have literally run out of all their savings in resisting the economical crises and the pressures of gentrification. I stand in awe before their resilience, and their dedicated hard work throughout this long period (71 years). This is the least I can do for my family, to whom I am indebted to them for helping me jump start my university studies abroad as a music student.
Your donations will help them save this valuable heritage, in defiance to multi-national companies which never ceases to sabotage family businesses.
Most importantly, please share if you can.
My Warmest Greetings,
Jad Saliba
This shop has endured and challenged decades of political and economic instability, including the 15-year-long civil war, playing a communal role in the neighborhood. From around 2005 onwards, a threatening wave of gentrification fueled by vulture developers and greedy landlords has been slowly sweeping the area, raising rents at a frightening rate and forcing many residents and small businesses to evacuate their premises.
Our shop has been one of their priorities due to its vibrant location and the historical (modern-day Lebanon) facade of the building, however we were able to resist and surmount their pressures again and again. Being located at the epicenter at only 1.7 kilometers from the blast of the explosion, the market was severely shattered by the shockwave, destroying most of the inventory, as well as the equipment required by the shop to perform its normal duty. Luckily no one was injured.
Due to the ongoing financial crisis, capital control, and the pandemic, the market was already barely able to support my family and my grandparents, and it is their only source of income. And now the blast came to deal an enormous blow, also shattering their two homes, without alternatives to get back on their feet.
Under such circumstances, the urgency of restoring their shop and livelihood will only be possible through your donations for the time being, since they have literally run out of all their savings in resisting the economical crises and the pressures of gentrification. I stand in awe before their resilience, and their dedicated hard work throughout this long period (71 years). This is the least I can do for my family, to whom I am indebted to them for helping me jump start my university studies abroad as a music student.
Your donations will help them save this valuable heritage, in defiance to multi-national companies which never ceases to sabotage family businesses.
Most importantly, please share if you can.
My Warmest Greetings,
Jad Saliba
Organizer
Jad Saliba
Organizer
Middelland, NL
