Vale Ayoubi of Brunswick's Miramar Nut Shop

Hussein El Ayoubi, co-founder of Miramar Nut Shop in Brunswick East with brother Mohammed, has died after a long illness. He was 79. The shop was one of the first Lebanese mixed businesses in Melbourne.

Geoff Malouf, from Cafe Zum Zum in Carlton North, says it was always a pleasure dealing
with El Ayoubi, whom everyone called Hajj because he had travelled to Mecca. "He really
made your day when you walked in. He had a dry sense of humour and was a real character.
And he was always good with the ladies."

ROSLYN GRUNDY