Voices In Israel

Voicing The Opinions Of Real People

Michael

Hope From The Shuk – A Tale of Food

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During our trip to Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market) on 7th September 2020, the mood was mainly sombre. The market was empty, there were hardly any people apart from the stall holders and buyers paying customers were few and far between.

By the time we met up with Dov Hakmon, the overall feeling was one of despair for the stall holders of Shuk HaCarmel. The Corona pandemic had driven away many customers and the goods and produce for sale in the Shuk was on display to a very small and limited audience.

Dov Hakmon, a young man from Petach Tikva, had only opened his hot food business a week and half before we arrived. Formerly found in the Grand Canyon in Petach Tikva, Dov had already had to close his Petach Tikva business and relocated to Shuk HaCarmel in the hope that there would still be enough ‘passing trade’ to support his business.

Dov’s energy, enthusiasm and overall belief were a refreshing surprise to find in Shuk HaCarmel after seeing the once crowded market almost empty.

Dov Hakmon speaking about his dream of Shuk HaCarmel returning to its former glory.
  • Dov Hakmon - Shuk HaCarmel
    Dov Hakmon – דוב חכמון
  • Dov Hakmon – דוב חכמון
  • Dov Hakmon – דוב חכמון

The Shuk Has Been Shaken – Voices From Shuk HaCarmel

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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.

Etai Zegman, a stall holder in Shuk HaCarmel, gave his view of the current situation to Voices in Israel

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.

The Effects of a Lockdown – Shopkeeper Tells All

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Just after the first lockdown in Israel in April 2020, Niv Mizrahi the owner of Large Cafe in Rothschild Street, shared his thoughts and experiences with Voices In Israel. Niv was not allowed to open his business during this period of time.

He had run the business on Rothschild Street for the past 15 years. When he opened the business for the first time after the lockdown, he was still unsure how the government would be assisting him financially and had no clue if the amount of money set aside for small businesses like his, would be enough to cover his losses during this period.

During the lockdown he learned to disconnect from his thoughts about work and focus more on his role at home.