- Title: ''Friends'' Central Perk cafe opens in Egypt
- Date: 11th January 2016
- Summary: PORT FOUAD, EGYPT (JANUARY 6, 2016) (REUTERS) EGYPTIAN CENTRAL PERK CAFE SIGN READING (English): 'CENTRAL PERK' PEOPLE SITTING OUTSIDE CAFE SIGN ON WINDOW READING (English): 'CENTRAL PERK' VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN CAFE AMERICAN SITCOM 'FRIENDS' POSTERS ON WALL POSTER READING (in English): "HOW YOU DOIN'?" OWNER OF CENTRAL PERK CAFE, ABDULLAH HASSAN, WEARING APRON AND T
- Embargoed: 26th January 2016 11:17
- Keywords: Friends Central Perk Egypt
- Location: PORT FOUAD, EGYPT
- City: PORT FOUAD, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0013ZLT179
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A cafe in the Egyptian city of Port Fouad is attracting fans of the popular 90s American sitcom ''Friends'' from across the country.
The Port Fouad 'Central Perk' cafe was created by husband and wife team Omnia and Abdullah Hassan.
Central Perk cafe is the coffee shop where friends Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Ross, Joey and Phoebe would meet in the TV series.
"I am a huge fan. I always had the idea of setting up a private business. My wife Omnia told me if we're going to start a cafe why not create Central Perk. This was three years ago,'' said Hassan.
Hassan, a former banker, quit his job and with the help of his interior designer cousin, Haytham Hegazy, spent six months reconstructing the cafe.
Egypt's Central Perk is a three hour drive away from Cairo but, according to Hassan, the long drive hasn't deterred people from making their way here.
"I did not expect that people from Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura, Tanta. It is overwhelming and it brings me joy to see fans from all over coming to see what we did. Their feedback was very positive and people were happy with the place and what we have to offer. This assured me that I took the right step,'' added Hassan.
The coffee shop is modelled on that in the hit TV show and customers can enjoy a drink whilst watching ''Friends''.
When asked why he chose to open in a city other than Cairo or Alexandria, Hassan said he chose to trust Port Fouad because it's where he grew up.
One customer and fan, Hoda al Taraneesy, said she expected a cafe of this kind to be open in the bustling cities of Cairo or Alexandria.
"I was always used to finding places such as [this cafe] in centralised governates such as Cairo and Alexandria. I was happy to find this project in Port Fouad. Now I feel like Port Said is on the map. I am happy that the children of Port Said are the ones who completed it. I decided to come because of it being in Port Said and that I love the show," said Al Taraneesy.
It isn't only the customers who are ''Friends'' fans.
"I started passing by outside the cafe before they started. I started sending them messages saying that I want to come work here. They called me after the soft-opening and I told them of course. I am addicted to the show and I wanted to open a cafe like this one but they were first to it,'' said waitress Alaa Karama.
Pop up Central Perk cafes have opened in Sydney and London, but so far this one is here to stay much to the delight of customers.
In just one month the cafe's Facebook page has more than 13 thousand likes. And due to the cafe's success so far, its owners are hoping to expand into Cairo and Alexandria.
"Friends" first aired in 1994 and wrapped 10 years later. The series is still popular today.
Some fans have hoped for a reunion, something cast and crew have said is unlikely to happen. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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