South Mubarakiya Somu, The New Old Souq

Sights, sounds and smells are what you will walk into when you reach South Mubarakiya (SOMU), the new ‘old’ district, marked by the previously renovated SOMU Square or Thouq Square.Located behind the AlFares Mosque, SOMU at first was nothing more than rubble and abandoned stores until visionaries Ahmad Al Ghanim and Bader Al Hejailan decided to give it a new life.

When the original Thouqers first opened their lifestyle, fashion and accessories concept store at the old Mubarakiya Souq, people assumed it would be a failure. As a concept store, ‘Thouq’ embodies everything that Bader and Ahmad stand for: an artistic vessel that showcases the finest talents in Kuwait and the region, with new items and concepts arriving on a weekly basis.

Despite what people thought, Al-Mubarakiya has now become a thriving hub for arts, culture and fashion. An example of art would be the Gulf’s biggest mural located in the heart of SOMU. Created by the Thouq team as a tribute to Kuwait, the mural stretches across two perpendicular walls.

Standing strong for more than sixty years, the ‘Thouq square’, where the Thouq concept store is located, still echoes with remnants of a bygone era where locals toiled, engaged in commerce, and more importantly met with individuals from all parts of the world.

What was once a thriving hub is now something distant to youth due to the presence of modern malls and chic outlets. In order to gain back their interest, Ahmad and Bader took the effort of renovating the Thouq Square and partnered with a group of young individuals. Today, almost all of the spaces around Thouq are booked, and many restaurants along with concept stores are coming up. Most of the new restaurant outlets and cafes have indoor and outdoor seating areas, ensuring that a visit need not be seasonal.

This year, the Wireless Mobile Data Company (WiMD) will launch its free Wi-Fi service in Kuwait, starting with Souk Al-Mubarakiya. The project will help boost sales and attract consumers.

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit