Everyone who grew up in Saudi Arabia between the ’80s all the way till the early 2000s will know of the corner stores called baqalas. These mini marts were the epitome of legendary, long before the parade of online delivery apps.

I’m sure everyone who has walked into a baqala can still remember how its scent, the products and the local vendor made you feel.

Below is a list of the 7 moments you might remember (or probably still experience) from your next-door-baqala:

(Image Credits: Instagram/ @manar_alg)

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1. The variety of shop names and their quirky signs

Anything from Mufheed to Sunway, the variety of these names ranges between funny to downright peculiar, real quick.

2. Almarai’s flavored milk would always, ALWAYS, be in sight

Shoutout to the strawberry milk, thanks for adding some pizzaz to all our grade school memories.

3. Forget living in a desert, we still had snow.

Thanks to the baqala snow spray. OG.

4. How do they fit everything in there?

Ever notice how the tiniest baqala had LITERALLY everything?

From snow sprays to shampoos, balloons to pool floaties, one thing’s fo sho baqalas are a one-stop shop.

5. Having a family-like bond with the baqala guy

Nothing better than the friendly hello and short life stories exchanged with your local baqala guy.

6. A game with your pals means never having to worry about lack of equipments

Football in the afternoon? No ball in sight?

No prob.

7. The love for baqalas is so real, the factor for the next person you marry is probably something as such: