Opened in 1920 as a small tea house, it soon became a popular destination with politicians, journalists, artists, tourists, and families crowding in at all hours of the day and night to savor special Lebanese dishes and desserts. In the early 1970s, the Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Beirut gave the corner the name of ‘Al-Ajami Square’ in honor of the famous restaurant. Although it never became the established press center of Beirut, Trablos Street maintained its role as an important commercial thoroughfare until 1975.