Beirut businesses crowdfund to rebuild after port blast

  • Date: 24-Sep-2020
  • Source: Arabian Business
  • Sector:Economy
  • Country:Lebanon
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Beirut businesses crowdfund to rebuild after port blast

Standing in the gutted ruins of her bar destroyed by Beirut's massive port blast, Lebanese entrepreneur Gizelle Hassoun said she hopes crowdfunding can help save her business from the rubble.

"This place was my life," the 46-year-old said, standing on top of piles of broken shutters and plaster, on what was once the dance floor.

"Then just like that - bam! - there was nothing left," she said, a blown-out wall behind her providing a view of the tall cranes at the capital's port.

Nestled on the first floor of a blue villa in Beirut's lively Gemmayzeh district, Madame Om was once a popular nightspot famed for its weekend parties and drag shows.

But today the walls of the rented venue are cracked, part of its floor has caved in, and its balcony has