Monday, January 4, 2010

New businesses Abu Dhabi could really use (feel free to make suggestions)

If I was not so lazy, I would act on the many ideas my friends and I come up with to augment this joint. If I had a dirham for every time I've heard "You know what Abu Dhabi needs?" followed by a discussion about how we could all be millionaires in the past year...

1. An organic cafe and associated health food store (a real one, like they have in Dubai), with people who know about the vitamins and potions they are selling.

2. An American-style diner, one that can properly prepare a club sandwich (there will be no egg or cucumber in sight), a greasy breakfast and late night poutine (that's good old French Canadian fries, gravy and cheese curds. Trust me)

3. A large gym, like Virgin Active (rumoured to be opening here a year ago), Fitness First, or a home-grown version, that is not attached to a hotel. One that isn't a fortune to join and charges men the same amount as women, because it will be so nice inside women will want to join. With yoga and assorted fitness classes that aren't a fortune and discounted if bought in bulk, please.

4. A bagel shop. Or stand. Or, you know, just bagels, somewhere I can find them on a regular basis.

5. A car-rental sharing service, such as this one in Ottawa.

4 comments:

Emiratesque said...

Where to start...

- Hotdog/ Crepe stands on the corniche
- Water taxis for transportation between islands
- A really good bookstore such as Barnes & Noble, Boarders, or Kinokuniya (With a Cafe inside)
- Karaokee Cafe (Arabic & English)
- Quality Spas (Not in hotels)
- Finally, I don't know why Johnny Rocket's did not open a branch in AD so far! (If they do open one, I hope its not in a Mall

Koala said...

Hi there fellow Canadian. In response to your new business posting, I wanted to say that I am currently in the process of writing up a business plan for a Bagel Deli & Bakery. I wanted to know if you could help out with the market research by writing a post about how your readers in AD would feel about it. There are a lot of expats in AD that have been acquainted with the bagel and I have a good feeling about the business doing well but better research doesn't hurt. Do you think you can help me out?

Koala said...

Hello there fellow Canadian. In response to your posting on new businesses needed in AD, I would like to inform you that I am currently working on opening a bagel deli & bakery. That being said, I was wondering if you would help me get some market research in by writing a post asking your readers how they would feel about having a proper bagel place in AD. Since AD is filled with expats I thought it was a safe bet that most of them would be delighted :) i miss my bagels!!!

Ann Marie said...

Hey there Koala, I posted your request on the blog today. Sorry it took me a little bit! Good luck with your shop.

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