Sharjah landmark Ansar Mall set to close; new stores planned in Abu Dhabi, Dubai

For residents travelling daily between Dubai and Sharjah, the blue signage of Ansar Mall, right on the edge of Ittihad Road, had become a prominent landmark between the two cities. That is now coming to an end, with the shopping destination set to close after 23 years.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Marketing Manager of Ansar Mall, Hassan Sha, confirmed the mall's closure at the Sharjah location as well as that of Ansar Gallery in Karama and Deira.

"We are strategically relocating our operations to other prime and high-potential locations across the UAE," said Sha.

No closing date has been confirmed for the three branches; however, notice signs have gone up at the stores to inform shoppers of the impending closures.

The proposed locations include key areas in Dubai, such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Barsha, along with locations in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

"This shift will allow us to maintain a strong presence in strategically important areas with better accessibility, visibility, and business potential," Sha told KT.

Opened in 2003, Sharjah's Ansar Mall is the group's first project in the UAE — that originally started off in Qatar — soon expanding into Dubai, with an Ansar Gallery opening in Muraqqabat's Deira in 2012 after the success of the Sharjah location and another in Karama in 2013.

The stores were well known for their affordable deals across supermarket items and pharmaceuticals to electronics, clothing, furniture and other lifestyle goods — and were often treated by residents as easily recognisable landmarks.

The group now operates A&H Home, a furniture store in Sharjah's City Centre Al Zahia and is planning to relocate to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Spread over 320,000 sq ft, Sharjah's Ansar Mall, however, was more than a landmark. For many expats who built their lives in the emirate in the early 2000s, its food court and play zone played a major role in some of their core childhood memories.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Priya M., said the mall was not just any other store for home necessities, but a place filled with memories.

"When I heard that it was closing, I couldn't quite believe the news. After Safeer Mall's closure, which was hard enough, it feels like another gem from the Sharjah skyline is leaving. The mall is not just a store of items, it stores our memories. For kids born in Sharjah in the 90's and 00's, much of our childhood was spent running inside Ansar Mall, eating with family, and playing in the Fun Zone," said the Indian expat.

Several videos shared on social media showed massive clearance sales across the three locations, with shoppers crowding the centres.

Taking to social media, one user also said they had never seen the place so crowded. "There were no shopping carts or baskets available anywhere. The checkout lines were long. It felt like a giant rummage sale," they added.

Meanwhile, residents who later moved to Dubai but started out in Sharjah still remember the mall as place for family bonding time.