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This was the first home Nemir and Saidah bought in 1922 on University Avenue. It was a farm home, three blocks from Euston Street. The street at that time was Elm Avenue. From left to right: Grandmother Zaryfie Zakem, Miriam Zakem (Albert Kays), Nahel Zakem (George Sadd), seated is aunt Sadiah with her children Samuel, Faris, Rita and Dan. Next is her husband Nemir, my dad and my uncle Said. 1927 or 1928

After a fire destroyed the Guardian newspaper office on the corner of Kent and University Streets on April 28,1923, Nemir bought the property and in 1927 erected an impressive three story brick building. In 1936 he almost doubled the size of the building. The first floor consisted of three or four stores, which were rented out. He kept one store for himself and operated a barbershop. It was a bold and courageous move for him to take. It was in the middle of the great depression and money was scarce. However, he was a shrewd businessman and was able to make it economically viable. The corner store was an eating establishment called the Dominion Cafe. The building had a fire in 1949 that caused extensive damage. After it was repaired, the boys operated their own lunch bar where the Dominion Cafe was. Next to the Cafe, they operated a gift shop and in 1974 they expanded the gift shop into the restaurant area with an extensive newspaper and magazine section. This became a very popular store for many years. The gift shop took up three of the four stores.

This was the beginning of a successful real estate venture by which he and his family were able to assemble some of the prime business properties in Charlottetown.

Eventually all my Aunts and Uncles as well as my grandparents moved to Charlottetown except Said and Nahil. We all Visited each other and took part in various activities together except Aunt Saidah and Nemjr. I am not sure of the reason but it could have

been some disagreement with some family members. However he had a brother in Charlottetown named Nakaad Taweel with whom his relationship was also somewhat cool to the extent that Nemjr dropped the “a” in Taweel to become Tweel. Most of the Lebanese Orthodox Christians, who came to Charlottetown, went to the St. Peter’s

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