Last week a new burger/sandwich/pub opened in Yerevan named ‘The Factory’.  It is owned by Diasporan partners, from I believe two different countries and is right next door to Yerevan’s first youth hostel (Envoy – also opened by Diasporans) which will undoubtedly supply it with some customers.  Going in, it’s a clean newly remodeled place which used to be dead space on that block.  It offers literally a breath of fresh air as you first enter into the non-smoking room, and the whole place seems to have one of the better ventilation systems in an otherwise smoky restaurant scene.

If I had to guess I’d say about half of the clients have been Diasporans when I’ve gone in (yes, three times already, perhaps too many burgers for one week?).  The meat is supplied by The Meat Shop, which is soon to open a butcher shop and is owned by… yes, Diasporan partners from again a couple of different countries.  Their space is in a retail space in a newly built building that has also never had a business in it before.  A dead space.  These spaces are coming to life, and a new mini-economy is being created. Read more »