Chain cafes in Souq Waqif - good or bad?

They should change the name 'Souq Waqif Mall' :D

I guess as far as they pay the rent is all that matter for the management ?

I'd be surprised if it was just about the rent Novi. They've spent a lot of time and effort trying to bring the souq back to it's traditional glory so I'd have thought they'd have taken a stricter approach to who was allowed to open shops there.

it can be economically beneficial but im sure its earning well with the traditional shops alone. hope they can still preserve what the souq is. these cafe joints are always in the malls or some points in Doha. so there's no need to put up there.

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.  ~Charles Schulz

... outside the beanery a few weeks back. Very relaxing as it was just after iftar. However, if they insist on putting these places there, they should at least decorate them in a style befitting the surroundings.

Did you Google it first?

hope they preserve the ambiance. we all need different surroundings.

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it.  ~Charles Schulz

Franchises should b forbidden frm such a nice concept. As many of u have said, its a place meant to highlight and promote local culture and history. The whole place was torn down and rebuilt for this very purpose. Defeats the purpose doesn't it? Its like selling an armoured car to a gangster! U throw out existing businsses in the location sayin u wanna change the concept, mood and feel to the place and then u end up commercialising it even more!

If u ask me, i think wat they need to do is promote new and local ideas and concepts. Franchises r the easy way out; familiar renowned cool brands u like to b associated to! Souq Waqif isn't supposed to b a cool place, its supposed to b an experience.

They seem to b losing their direction and focus on the whole concept of Souq Waqif.

... let's have a decent Arabic coffee shop, sitting on Majlis cushions with tiny cups of chai and qawa (sp?)

Did you Google it first?

it's odd.

chaud

Yes amnesia, the dedicated area for the chains should be City Centre!

I mean, Haagendazs? Come on. I can see how they could maybe make the Coffee Bean fit in, but Haagendazs? What's next, McDonalds?
It'll just become yet another place for me to avoid.

Resistance is useless!

Lol the world is being homogenized
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I dont mind the coffee shop, most restaurants there make horribe cappacinos, instant water with milk...At least you can get a decent coffee...
I do agree with Haagendaz, theres already a nice ice cream shop near the end of the souq...

Traditional and independent should be the only theme allowed. But alas. . . TID - This is Doha

the point is, I saw the master plan.

It was always supposed to have a Traditional Area, then a modern area with international brands, then an office area. (After expansions).

Now they're just mixing it all up! It's wrong.

The rich just get richer.
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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

This bad - totally bad.

I can't understand why anyone would want to go the 'old' Souq and then have a frapacino and a Haagendasz sundae. Why go to an old souq if really what you want are modern, bog-standard products? Just go to any other mall in any other country.

It's unlikely that the franchise shops will keep their branding to a minimum, since most franchise agreements require that certain amounts of signage and branding be visible in prominent locations.

For me, the whole idea stinks. But then so does the Malaysian restaurant, and the initial ice cream shop, and all the other non-Arabic outlets that were already there.

Was it too much to ask that Souq Waqif restricted itself to hosting local, or at least Middle Eastern shops and eateries? Or did a wealthy Sheikh decide that he wanted to make some money, so his financial desires took precedence over the cultural value of such a project?

Rumor has it that the gun shop that never opened in Villagio is due to open in Souq Waqif.

So the tourists who visit the old souq will get the impression that this is a traditional country that enjoys the occassional chai latte and double fudge sundae, before going shopping for concealed weapons.

Very traditional.

If the stores like Coffee bean etc.. would dress there staff in local outfits or decorate the place with a local touch it would actually make it better ... The whole charm is lost when u see places that you pass by everyday in all parts of town.. Which is not really the whole point of Souq Waqif

I totally disagree with these modern cafe', shops in a very traditional area. Souq Waqif born to be a traditional/historical area and this places must be 100% pure.

Someone said business is business, ..... but in Qatar? come on! there a lot of other opportunities to have business!

Again, another chance lost....from the Qatari management

B-I-N-G-O Rami-leb: Mo' Money! Mo' Money! Mo'Money!
Can't get enough of that funky stuff! Money talks and everything else walks....Keeping things "culturally pure"...just doesn't pack a punch like the mighty riyal.

Just keeping things "riyal" in the Souk Waquif isn't in the master plan or is it? Hmmm.

Since moving here a few months back, i have loved the traditional look of the souk... these chains will almost definitely ruin it.. the charm of Doha was that keeps its culture rather than turning into a mini Dubai!

I just wanted to menton that this word is stupid as is its frequent Users - Americans and bollywood morons. Zippydoo! Yippee, Yippeee, its GORDONS gin for me!
WINNER Gordons Gin Personal Consumption Award 2008 Hic!