Man holding several ounces of gold at Boghos Exchange in Burj Hammoud on Friday, April 25, 2025. (Credit: Stephanie Bechara/OT)
BEIRUT — “No one goes in,” shouts one security guard to his colleague as they try to manage the crowd packed in front of Boghos Exchange, a local gold and silver seller in Burj Hammoud (Matn). Inside the store, the situation is no different: dozens of people are queuing to buy precious metals at every counter, as electronic screens in the corners of the room flash real-time commodity prices.This has been the state of the shop for the past five weeks, managing director Chris Boghos says to L’Orient Today.Further north in Tripoli, Ahmad Tleihi, owner of a local jewelry store, shares a similar story. “There's been an uptick in demand the past two weeks, especially for gold coins and ounces,” he says. “I’ve noticed a considerable wave of new faces coming in, beyond my usual clientele, either to ask questions or make a purchase.”Since the...
BEIRUT — “No one goes in,” shouts one security guard to his colleague as they try to manage the crowd packed in front of Boghos Exchange, a local gold and silver seller in Burj Hammoud (Matn). Inside the store, the situation is no different: dozens of people are queuing to buy precious metals at every counter, as electronic screens in the corners of the room flash real-time commodity prices.This has been the state of the shop for the past five weeks, managing director Chris Boghos says to L’Orient Today.Further north in Tripoli, Ahmad Tleihi, owner of a local jewelry store, shares a similar story. “There's been an uptick in demand the past two weeks, especially for gold coins and ounces,” he says. “I’ve noticed a considerable wave of new faces coming in, beyond my usual clientele, either to ask questions or make a...