Shops at Rumailah Park

Serene on the outside, 

an illogical jumble on the inside. 

Plastic vampire doll meet bedouin necklaces 

Memories of the Gulf is one of those shops beside the Rumailah Park water canal that always seem to be closed. They're not; it's just a matter of timing.

99¢ store meets antique shop meets thrift store. There’s no other way to describe it — and I love it for that.

Everywhere you look is unintentional juxtaposition. 200 year-old trunk and cheap red lipstick. A 500 year-old coin stored in a shoe box surrounded by plastic rings and halloween masks. 

For five years, Qatari owner, Ali Ahmed al-Tamimi, has done a brisk business selling things collected from Indonesia, Korea, Philipinnes, Bangkok, India and the Gulf. Which is why you’ll also find delicate perfume flasks, wooden camels, swords, coffee pots, mirrors and artwork. He claims to be one of the first in Qatar to collect antiques.

He has limited mobility and is no longer able to travel. Now people bring things to him. He’s happy to buy from you. He’s happy to sell to you. Bargain for half the price he quotes.

Memories of the Gulf is one of the joys of Doha.

Details:

Memories of the Gulf

Khikrayat al Khalij

Rumailah Park Shops

Building#11

Tel: 5552 3614; 5586 6358

Hours: 5:30-10:30 pm (Local time, it is understood)