On March 5, 2007, a car bomb devastated Al-Mutanabbi Street, killing over thirty people and destroying the cafe. The long-time proprietor, Haj Mohammed al-Khashali, lost four sons and a grandson in the explosion. He rebuilt the cafe with community support and added portraits of his sons to the wall, earning it the local title 'The Martyrs' Cafe.'
For more: Friday Morning on Al-Mutanabbi Street: Book Markets and Shabandar Cafe