Remembering Lamcy Plaza: A place that felt like home

My connection with Lamcy Plaza began in early 2003, shortly after I joined Gulf News. On weekends, I often visited the mall in Oud Metha. It wasn’t just a place to shop—it truly felt like home. Lamcy had a friendly, relaxed vibe. It was always full of life and familiar faces.

For many of us from the subcontinent, it became a favourite hangout. We would meet friends, sip on Indian chai, and enjoy delicious food. One ex-colleague used to say, “Let’s catch up at our adda,” using the Hindi word for “hangout.” The food court was always filled with the mouthwatering smells of biryani, samosas, and chaat. There was constant laughter and the cheerful buzz of people speaking in many different languages.

From 2005 to 2016, Lamcy Plaza became an even more important part of my life. My wife and I visited regularly, and later, we brought our kids along. We would stroll through the shops, do some window-shopping, and occasionally buy clothes. Some evenings ended with a movie at the cinema inside the mall, making for simple but joyful moments.

Lamcy Plaza was never the biggest mall in Dubai. But it had a charm of its own. It was warm, welcoming, and full of heart. It brought people together, especially those of us living far from our native countries.

Then came the sad day in 2017 when a fire broke out, and Lamcy Plaza had to close. Since then, the building has remained empty. It’s hard to believe almost eight years have passed. Every time I drive by, I feel a mix of loss and nostalgia. I think of the weekends, the laughter with friends, the quiet movie nights with my wife, and the thrilling cricket moments with strangers who felt like family.

Lamcy Plaza may be gone, but its spirit lives on in the hearts of many. We still hope that one day it will return—with the smell of fresh chai, the sound of cheerful crowds, and the warmth of a place that once truly felt like home.