Ansar Mall, which long served as a recognizable landmark for residents commuting between Dubai and Sharjah, is preparing to close after 23 years of operation. Its blue sign, located on the border with Etihad Road, was a familiar spot between the two cities.
Ansar Mall Marketing Manager, Hassan Shah, informed Khaleej Times about the upcoming closure not only of the mall in Sharjah but also of the Ansar Gallery branch in the Karama and Deira areas.
Shah stated that the company is strategically relocating its operations to other prime and promising locations across the UAE. Although the exact date for closing the three branches has not yet been announced, notices have already been placed in the stores informing customers of the imminent cessation of operations.
These notices indicate that information regarding the locations and dates of opening new branches will be provided shortly. Proposed locations include key areas in Dubai, such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Barsha, as well as locations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
According to Shah, this transition will allow the company to maintain a strong presence in strategically important zones with better accessibility, visibility, and business potential. Ansar Mall in Sharjah, which opened in 2003, was the group's first project in the UAE, having initially started its operations in Qatar.
Following its success in Sharjah, the group expanded its presence by opening Ansar Gallery in Deira Murakkabat in 2012, and then another branch in Karama in 2013. The stores were known for their affordable offerings, covering supermarket goods, pharmaceuticals, electronics, clothing, furniture, and other lifestyle items, and were often perceived by residents as easily recognizable landmarks.
Currently, the group manages the A&H Home furniture store in Al Zahia City Centre in Sharjah and plans to relocate to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Ansar Mall in Sharjah, spanning 320,000 sq ft, was more than just a landmark. For many expats who built their lives in the emirate in the early 2000s, its food court and play area played a significant role in their earliest childhood memories.
Ms. Priya, commenting to Khaleej Times, emphasized that this mall was not just a place to buy necessities, but a repository of memories. The Indian expat noted that the departure of another 'gem' from the Sharjah skyline feels particularly poignant after the closure of Safeer Mall, which was difficult in itself. She added that for children born in Sharjah in the 90s and 00s, much of their childhood took place at Ansar Mall, where they spent time with family and played in the Entertainment Zone.
Numerous videos have appeared on social media showcasing massive sales across the three locations, with customers flooding the centers. One social media user noted the unprecedented crowds, stating that 'there were nowhere enough trolleys or baskets. Queues at the checkouts were long. It resembled a giant sale.'
Residents who later moved to Dubai but began their journey in Sharjah also recall the mall as a place for family gatherings. Abubakr Siddiq, a 26-year-old Indian expat working as an elite real estate consultant in Dubai, was born in Sharjah when his family moved there in 1995. Visiting the mall in Sharjah became a monthly ritual for his family, whether it was grocery shopping, picking up necessities, or using the Al Ansari Exchange on the ground floor.
Siddiq shared that he frequented the mall, and it became an integral part of their daily life. He expressed sadness over the closure and relocation to Abu Dhabi, recalling all the associated moments. He concluded that childhood moments, shopping, fun, and time spent with loved ones will never return, and this time will forever remain a special part of their lives.
Maria F., a long-time resident of Karama and an Indian expat born and raised in the city, recalls Ansar Gallery in Karama as her mother's favorite spot for any needs. She recounted that her mother and aunts were very upset about the gallery's impending closure, and they visited the previous day because all the goods were on sale.
The Ansar Group confirmed to Khaleej Times that it will soon open a carpet showroom in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi, called Ansar Gallery Carpet. This new store will offer clients both ready-made collections and custom-made carpets. These items will be sourced from countries such as Turkey, Italy, Belgium, China, India, and Pakistan, marking the group's first foray into the carpet salon market.
Ansar Group, founded in 1987, owns shopping malls and a portfolio of residential and commercial real estate across Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman.