From Electrician to Pub Legend: Salah Mjahed's 37-Year Journey in Berlin
Salah Mjahed, a German resident for over five decades, has been running the Urban-Eck pub in Berlin since 1985. Despite initial hurdles, he's transformed it into a beloved neighborhood hub.
Mjahed arrived in Berlin in the 70s and initially worked as an electrician. In 1983, he moved to the Werner-Düttmann settlement, which later became known for its diverse refugee population and, unfortunately, gangster activity. Despite these challenges, Mjahed took over the pub in 1985 to support his family.
He faced initial resistance from guests who weren't comfortable with an Arab owner and moral lectures from other migrants. However, he persevered and turned the pub into a welcoming space. It became a savings club, with regulars contributing to a Christmas party fund. Mjahed knew all his patrons by their first names, fostering a familial atmosphere.
In 2016, Mjahed's son Tarek took the reins and introduced changes to keep the pub relevant. He added a new logo and started weekly jam sessions. The pub's migrant heritage continued, with Tarek carrying on the tradition of providing a community gathering spot.
The Urban-Eck pub, under Mjahed's leadership and later his son's, has been a steadfast migrant-run establishment in Berlin. Despite facing initial prejudice and later operating in a changing neighborhood, it has remained a cherished meeting point for locals.
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