Before the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement (known collectivley as The High Holy Days) we visited Shuk HaCarmel (The Carmel Market) in Tel Aviv. The Shuk has always been a vibrant, busy area often referred to by many as the ‘soul’ of Tel Aviv. Usually at this time of year, it would be difficult to find room to even walk down the Shuk.
However this year, due to the Corona pandemic, the Shuk was a sickly shadow of its former self. The lanes were empty and the stalls had little to no business. We stopped to speak to a number of stall holders to get their views on the situation.
When we approached the t-shirt and accessory stall owned by Etai Zegman, Etai was sitting reading a book. When asked ‘How’s business?” Etai replied “I’m reading a book here. It’s unheard of. There’s no one around to buy anything.” That, in itself, is a sign of the times. Masked stall holders standing around talking, reading, watching the very small number of people passing by, in the hope that things will change soon.
An empty fruit and veg stall stands deserted in Shuk HaCarmel just two weeks before the Jewish New Year. For all small businesses trying to stay afloat during the Corona Pandemic, it has been hard. But businesses which service the public and designated ‘non-essential’ have been hit the hardest.
Etai Zegman standing alone on his stall in Shuk HaCarmel. Taking the business online with a complete change in fulfillment, marketing and logistics is the only way forward to keep the current business afloat.