JEDDAH, 22 May 2003 — Many patrons of Western-owned businesses have opted to stay away until the threat of terrorist attacks has abated, some giving their business to their Saudi-owned and operated equivalent.
Fueled by the closure of the American, British and German diplomatic missions and international schools until Saturday, many of these businesses are seen as possible targets of a terrorist attack.
Tahlia Street between Madinah Road and Al-Andalus Street has seen the largest decrease in business. The one-and-a-half kilometer stretch of shopping malls and small businesses has over 25 American and British stores.
Wednesday nights in the past found Starbucks packed, but last night there were more employees in the coffee shop than customers. An employee there told Arab News: “It’s strange, normally we’re quite busy on Wednesday nights, but tonight we’re not. We weren’t really affected by the boycott of American goods, as far as I can tell, but there is surely something going on now that’s keeping people away.”
A visit to Toys’R’Us store on Prince Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz Street yielded the same result. A manager there when asked why his store was empty responded: “Why do you think?”
When asked if it was a result of the boycott or fear by patrons of being targeted for an attack, he said, “I don’t like to discuss politics, but probably both. Sales are not as they were a week ago. Other than that, I really have no comment.”
Comparatively, Toyland on Tahlia Street, a 100 percent Saudi-owned toy store, was far busier.
