You may be thinking to yourself – this girl shops and pampers herself a lot – well why not? Life’s too short!
A week or so ago I was in the main center of Tel Aviv near Dizengoff Square and saw a sign advertising a 2nd hand/vintage/antiques fair. Since I’m always after new and interesting things to do in the city I thought I’d ask a friend if she’d be interested in going to check it out.
Ad for "vintage" market
Luckily my friend is in town and wanted to see what this sale had to offer so we went last night to see what the fuss was all about.
The sale was just around Dizengoff Square which is a few minutes down the road from Dizengoff Center. Before I met up with my friend, I thought I’d go into the center to check out a few things and browse around some of the shops. It’s also a great way to escape the heat since the air con is on full blast!
Dizengoff Center is one of Tel Aviv’s shopping malls. It was the first one I’ve ever been to in Israel and I think is quite unique compared to the “normal” shopping mall. It is named after Meir (same name as my grandad) Dizengoff who was the first mayor of Tel Aviv. Open since 1983 it is actually divided into 2 parts on both sides of Dizengoff Street and connected by a skywalk. The design of the center is quite odd – it is built on a descending ramp from top to bottom. I recommend starting at the top and walking down the ramp – a lot less tiring than the reverse.
Dizengoff Center
The Center was built on the ruins of the Nordiya neighborhood. Construction began in 1972, and the first store opened five years later in 1977. The rest of the mall was finished in 1983. The mall has two movie theatres, stores and restaurants, an internet cafe, a design center holding exhibitions from around the world (Soho), specialty stores (Comic books, video games, gadgets, stamp-collecting, posters), and a roof top swimming pool and gym.
Even though other shopping centers like the one in Ramat Aviv and Azrieli are more modern, there is something very “Tel Aviv” about Dizengoff. It has 1970s decor and truly feels hectic – a characteristic you have to associate with Israel.
Security at Dizengoff is fairly high (as it is in most central areas in Israel) – in 1996 there was a suicide bombing outside Dizengoff Center which killed 13 people. There have also been other attempts but fortunately they were unsuccessful. Being here today, a place that is hustling and bustling with locals and tourists there is not a hint of that in the air. It’s just all about one of everyone’s favourite hobbies – retail therapy.
I’m on the prowl for a new dress for my upcoming trip to the UK and for my birthday – yes its coming up on 10th September! I peruse the shops in the center and come up empty handed. I guess the vintage show may be where my luck will come into play.
I meet up with my friend just outside the center and we head over to the vintage sale. I’m expecting to see something quite interesting with lots of clothes and jewellery. Hmmm…I look around and realize that I may not be in luck here either. It actually looks quite familiar and resembles a place quite close to home. Yes, you’ve got it – Jaffa Flea Market.
"Vintage" market
The stuff here is definitely 2nd hand but unfortunately not vintage or antique. It is full of old jewellery and literally a city garage sale (or car boot sale). I’m sure that we could find something here but the digging we’d have to do is way too much for Sophie or I to bear.
After a bit of stroll, we go back to Dizengoff Center and give it a bit more of a wander. I realize that I have a love-hate relationship with this place. On the one hand it has everything I need when I go to the mall – movie theaters, chemist and a multitude of clothing stores. On the other, I find the overall style so retro that I get frustrated with it. Maybe its me – I have a love-hate relationship with all malls I think really. Look what growing up in Toronto, shopping mall central, did to me:).
After a bit of window shopping we go and grab a coffee partly because we want more of the best thing about this place – the lovely air conditioning. There are a number of spots to pick from including Aroma (my fave Israeli capp), Cafe Cafe and Arcaffe. We settle on Aroma and slurp up a yummy cappuccino.
The best part of hanging out in the mall is that it brings you back to the days of high school when your days were filled with activities like this and they made you happier than ever. Sitting here catching up with my friend makes me realize that those simple days weren’t so bad especially at a place like Dizengoff where there is a lot to keep the eyes wander if you get stuck for conversation.
I’m hoping that my next shopping adventure takes me somewhere out of the mall but if I have to go inside, Dizengoff is as good of an option as any.
Until next time, Miriam x
