Coca-Cola, the worldβs largest beverage company has announced through its Lebanese distributor that as of May 31, the company will shut down its franchise in Lebanon. The distributor claims that the decision is based on the current financial situation in the country.
Em Nehmen’s shop in Achrafieh 
An abandoned shop in Bakkifa – Bekaa
Coca-Cola first started in Lebanon in 1949. It stopped its operations following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and was re-introduced to the Lebanese market in 1990 after a 23-year absence.
As a tribute to all these years, I went over hundreds of old photos of Beirut and filtered out the ones that include Coca-Cola ads.
Beirut 1950s 
Tramway Beirut 1950s 
Martyrs square 1960s 
El Burj square 1960s 
Martyrs square 1950s 
Martyrs square 1965 
Beirut 1958 – LIFE Magazine 
Lebanese soldiers 1958 
Weygand Street 1960s
And here’s a collection of vintage Coca-Cola posters from Lebanon and the Arab world.
Hoping that this crisis ends soon and all the local and international companies thrive again!
PLUS961 