I hadn’t heard of this bookshop until my friend took me to it recently. It’s supposedly one of the oldest bookshops in Kuwait and it’s called “المكتبة الوطنية” which translates to The National Library. They sell Arabic books and comics, mostly new but they also have a bunch of really old stuff.
While flipping through one of the old comics I found the Hardees advert above. My very first memory of Hardees is that kids meal box, I think I was around 6 years old and I remember getting it from the now demolished Hardees near my house in Salem Mubarek Street.
If you’re interested in checking out this old bookshop it’s located in Souk Mubarkia, here is the location on [Google Maps]
7 replies on “The National Library Bookshop”
I clearly remember those Kids Meal Boxes! Great Memories!
That’s Al-Ruwayyeh’s bookshop, it opened in the 1920s. If I’m not mistaken, it is actually the first of its kind in Kuwait and is still run by Al-Ruwayyeh family. Throughout the years, it was moved from one spot to another, but still in Alsouk Ildakhili (السوق الداخلي) in Souk Mubarakiya.
Not bad. Not bad at all. This will do till Kinukooniya or Magrudi’s open shop in Q8.
Thanks Mark.
The image of the Hardees Kids Meal Box brought back good memories.
Hi Mark – the Google Maps link isn’t working. Can you post a working link or maybe some directions to the store?
Hey Sara, I just tried the link and it worked. What kind of error are you getting? Plug this into google maps 29.3758051,47.9745556
It is indeed the first and oldest bookshop in Kuwait. And it is located near the oldest coffeeshop in Kuwait as well (gahwat Bu Nashi).