Local businesses have faced financial setbacks and supply chain disruptions in recent weeks – yet many have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, continuing to serve their communities in creative and meaningful ways.
The impact was particularly felt during Ramadan, a period when businesses typically prepare well in advance by stocking promotional items and seasonal products. This year, those preparations were upended, leaving many with excess inventory and unexpected financial setbacks.
For 26-year-old ice cream store owner Alya Al Ammari, the situation was an opportunity to respond with both caution and compassion. She explained how she adjusted her operations to prioritise safety while also giving back to the community.
“As a dessert business, we would usually stay open late during Ramadan, as that is when people come in for late-night treats,” she told the GDN.
“But given the circumstances, we changed our opening hours to the daytime so no team member would have to travel home late at night.”
Her business remained closed for several days, derailing carefully timed Ramadan launches. At the same time, customer behaviour changed – while footfall dropped, online orders saw an uptick.
In response, Ms Al Ammari and her team came up with a unique initiative to make the best of the situation – a free ice cream drive.
“We had spent a lot of time preparing new products, especially for the second half of the holy month, but unfortunately those had to be cancelled, leaving me with a significant amount of excess stock,” she said.
Her predominantly Bahraini team spent a full day packaging unused Ramadan and Eid items, later announcing on Instagram that families were welcome to collect free ice cream.
“It meant a lot that my products did not go to waste and people were able to enjoy them instead,” she said.
Ms Al Ammari, who opened her store in 2024 after completing a gelato course in Italy, described her venture as a lifelong dream.
“When I came back, I had a shoestring budget and a dream, but I was determined to make it work,” she said.
She also documented her journey on TikTok, sharing renovation updates and cost breakdowns, which helped generate local interest ahead of the launch.
Reflecting on the situation, Ms Al Ammari believes a powerful message has emerged. “We have realised how much Bahrain relies on local businesses,” she explained. “When things return to normal, there will be a real sense of appreciation for how we all came together and did our best during a difficult time.”
For Bahraini restaurant owner Diana Ali, maintaining a sense of normalcy has been a priority throughout this challenging period. She told the GDN that her restaurant has remained open despite a noticeable decline in footfall.
“Even if we only serve one or two cups of coffee in an entire day, it still means something,” she said. “It makes us happy to know that someone feels safe enough to come to our restaurant.”
Like many in the industry, her business has experienced slight supply chain disruptions, leading to temporary menu adjustments.
“Some dishes have been modified, ingredients substituted and others temporarily removed all together,” she explained.
“For example, raspberries and fresh salmon have been harder to source with our current suppliers. This does not mean they are not available in supermarkets – they are. But in the restaurant business, we rely on suppliers to ensure consistency.”
Encouragingly, Ms Ali has observed a small but noticeable increase in customers over the past week as conditions began to stabilise. “We’re truly grateful to those who take the time to visit us and support the business,” she said.
On a personal level, the stress of the situation has weighed heavily. “As a Bahraini, it’s heartbreaking every time the sirens go off,” she shared. “Given the circumstances, I do struggle with anxiety, but I am grateful knowing that our country has provided us with safety and our defence forces are working around the clock to keep us all safe.”
Turkish resident Begum Ince, who opened her yoga and fitness studio in Janabiya just three months ago, described the early days of the attacks as particularly unsettling.
“We were forced to close temporarily, adding to the uncertainty of an already difficult situation,” she told the GDN.
“We didn’t know what to expect. “Everyone was scared to leave their homes. In the first week, we made less than BD100, which was very worrying.”
As stability slowly returned, she began noticing a shift. “Over time, people didn’t want to remain isolated indoors, and we’ve thankfully seen clients slowly returning to the studio,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Ms Ince remains optimistic. “We just hope the situation improves and that life in Bahrain can return to normal soon.”
For Abdulkareem Al Fulaij, owner of one of the oldest garment shops in Bahrain, established in 1960, the downturn has been severe.
“We imported around $70,000 worth of garments for Eid from India and China, across a range of brands,” he said.
“But our daily sales have dropped dramatically, from a few hundred dinars a day to as little as BD10, and sometimes even BD4.”
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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