Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
A store full of suits that has dressed men across generations. A medical centre treating patients since the '80s. A trusted barbershop. A restaurant that has been grilling kebabs for nearly four decades.
This year's Urban Treasures awardees - much like those honoured before them - will ring a bell for anyone who grew up or spent years in Abu Dhabi. After all, they have been around for at least two decades.
Their secret? Hard work, and a deep sense of gratitude that keeps them giving back to the place that opened its doors to them.
"Abu Dhabi is my second home," said George Ayoub, owner of Top Man Gents Garments, one of the 15 businesses honoured on Tuesday for the fifth edition of the Urban Treasures initiative.
The shop has been running for 28 years, and Ayoub said business continues to grow. This longevity, he added, is driven largely by the loyalty of customers who pass the recommendation down through their families.
"Many of our customers return and recommend us to their families, children and grandchildren," he told Aletihad.
Kamiran Mohammed, owner of Restaurant Dubai Special Kabab Grills, has lived in the UAE for 40 years and has always taken pride in being part of its story.
For him, the country is "a place of dignity, security and opportunity". And every day, he and his team honour that by doing what they do best: whipping up grills and dishes for the community that welcomed them.
"We always strive to give back in appreciation for everything this country has provided us," he said.
Tailoring entrepreneur Padmanabha Pillai Vijayan Nair arrived in Abu Dhabi from the southern Indian state of Kerala in 1997 and built his business from scratch — "step by step, through hard work and dedication", he said. Today, his company, Al Qusoor Tailoring and Garments, employs around 200 people and specialises in tailoring traditional Emirati clothing.
"This Urban Treasures recognition means a lot to me and reflects many years of work and commitment," he said. "Success comes through persistence, hard work and commitment to quality."
Even as he enjoys the fruits of his labour, Nair said he has never lost sight of where it all began. "We will continue working to serve the community and contribute to Abu Dhabi's growth."
The same principle guided Al Amal Medical Centre since 1988. Sulaiman Omar, whose parents founded the clinic, said the award carries weight beyond the recognition itself.
"It is an appreciation of years of dedication and service," Omar said. "It is an honour that motivates us to continue serving in a city known for generosity and opportunity."
For Mansoor Al Mansoori, owner of Kanaan Gents Saloon, the honour felt personal, a recognition of more than two decades of showing up.
"It is especially meaningful because it comes from the public's appreciation and support," he said.
Al Mansoori praised initiatives that bring businesses and communities closer, and had a simple message for fellow entrepreneurs: "My advice is not to give up. A business may face challenges and periods of difficulty, but that does not mean you should close your doors. Keep going and continue working as much as you can."
Abu Dhabi, he said, offers real opportunities for those who stay the course.
