• In 2013, Emirati entrepreneur Badour Al Qubaisi opened White Coffee shop in Khalifa City A, a suburb of Abu Dhabi. The shop sells traditional Emirati sweets and ice cream but with a modern twist.
    In 2013, Emirati entrepreneur Badour Al Qubaisi opened White Coffee shop in Khalifa City A, a suburb of Abu Dhabi. The shop sells traditional Emirati sweets and ice cream but with a modern twist.
  • Also sold are date cupcakes, brownies with rahash or sesame seeds paste, and cookies with khabeesa or semolina porridge, as well as Vimto slush and Namlet among other out-of-the-box combinations. Irene García León / The National.
    Also sold are date cupcakes, brownies with rahash or sesame seeds paste, and cookies with khabeesa or semolina porridge, as well as Vimto slush and Namlet among other out-of-the-box combinations. Irene García León / The National.
  • Customers enjoy a simple yet warm atmosphere characterised by white and wood lines, while enjoying great coffees and plates of food. Irene García León / The National.
    Customers enjoy a simple yet warm atmosphere characterised by white and wood lines, while enjoying great coffees and plates of food. Irene García León / The National.
  • The idea of the vintage with a modern taste extends to the shop decor that uses pop art and colourful enamel teapots to add to the atmosphere. Irene García León / The National.
    The idea of the vintage with a modern taste extends to the shop decor that uses pop art and colourful enamel teapots to add to the atmosphere. Irene García León / The National.
  • Many Emirati women are getting into creative businesses. Irene García León / The National.
    Many Emirati women are getting into creative businesses. Irene García León / The National.
  • For those businesswomen who take the plunge, the UAE’s growing retail sector is a support. Sales of the overall UAE retail sector this year is expected to be US$35.91 billion, up from $32.91bn last year. It is expected to touch $52.79bn in 2019, according to Euromonitor International. Irene García León / The National.
    For those businesswomen who take the plunge, the UAE’s growing retail sector is a support. Sales of the overall UAE retail sector this year is expected to be US$35.91 billion, up from $32.91bn last year. It is expected to touch $52.79bn in 2019, according to Euromonitor International. Irene García León / The National.
  • Carefully added details at White Coffee in Khalifa City A in Abu Dhabi. Irene García León / The National.
    Carefully added details at White Coffee in Khalifa City A in Abu Dhabi. Irene García León / The National.
  • Boutique businesses active in the chocolates, sugar and snacks sectors are also increasing in Abu Dhabi, although the paperwork and the time taken still puts off many women looking to start their own shop. Irene García León / The National.
    Boutique businesses active in the chocolates, sugar and snacks sectors are also increasing in Abu Dhabi, although the paperwork and the time taken still puts off many women looking to start their own shop. Irene García León / The National.
  • The White Coffee in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. Irene García León / The National.
    The White Coffee in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. Irene García León / The National.
  • High rents meant Ms Al Qubaisi has had to start outside a mall but hopes someday she will be able to open within one. She employs 10 people at the shop. Irene García León / The National.
    High rents meant Ms Al Qubaisi has had to start outside a mall but hopes someday she will be able to open within one. She employs 10 people at the shop. Irene García León / The National.
  • Most of her marketing is done via social media, such as Twitter and Instagram. Irene García León / The National.
    Most of her marketing is done via social media, such as Twitter and Instagram. Irene García León / The National.
  • Ms Al Qubaisi, 31, expects the firm to break even in about three years and hopes to expand to Dubai by the end of the year. Irene García León / The National.
    Ms Al Qubaisi, 31, expects the firm to break even in about three years and hopes to expand to Dubai by the end of the year. Irene García León / The National.

Business

Emirati entrepreneur creates coffee shop with a twist in Abu Dhabi – in pictures

Liz Claus

February 18, 2015

  • English
  • Arabic

White Coffee was opened in Khalifa City A in 2013 by Badour Al Qubaisi who has successfully juggled the business while raising three children.

Abu DhabiEmiratiTechnology