News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

July 20, 2006

stores

How the only Apple Center in Beirut is faring

Posted Jul. 20, ’06, 3:52 PM PT by Aaron Freedman
Category | Apple » Stores

A few days ago we posted on how Intel Israel is doing during the Israel-Lebanon feud. Well, today, Cyrus Farivar, the same author of the Intel Israel post, wrote a news story for Macworld on how the owner of the only authorized Apple Center in Beirut is doing. Jean Medlej, (who owns the Apple Center, a sort of Apple Store outside the U.S. licensed by Apple but not run by them) lives in Beirut and has operated the center for two and a half years. He will most likely have to soon leave Lebanon with his family, leaving the Apple Center behind. According to Medlej:

“It’s very difficult, it’s a beautiful country, the people are nice—but, I don’t know. We’re not considering leaving forever, but there’s nothing to do here for the time being.”

“So we might as well leave for the time being and see what will happen and we’ll definitely be back.”

Medlej closed the Apple Center on the first day of fighting between Israel and Lebanon, July 12. Fortunately, Medlej has already begun plans for starting an Apple Center in Montreal, which hopefully should be able to support him and his family in North America. Medlej is still only one example, though, of the many people in Beirut and southern Lebanon affected by Israel and Lebanon’s feud.


 



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