A tour of the Talpiot market: rising apartment prices, the sense of security and the stormy winds • Watch the broadcast

(haipo) – Broadcast from Talpiot Market: In recent days, a storm has been brewing around the Talpiot Market in Haifa, one of the oldest and most beloved commercial centers in the city. Publications claiming that a body was found in the market have sparked great anger among merchants and restaurant owners. They have been quick to clarify: This is an incident that occurred near the market – on Shapira Street – and not inside it. With a deep sense of pain, they speak of how they are not willing to have their livelihoods harmed, of the market they have lovingly managed for decades, and of the transformation of the area from an abandoned and neglected center to an area bustling with life, culinary delights, and booming real estate.

Market traders react painfully to the publications: "They are harming their livelihoods"

The feelings among the traders are not easy. "We live off of people coming to the market," say some of them. "When we saw that it was announced that a body had been found here, we were shocked. We didn't see anything, no one saw it. In the end, we discovered that the incident had actually taken place on a nearby street. But it doesn't matter to those who spread rumors - the damage has been done. People ask us if it's dangerous here, if there's crime. And it's infuriating. Anyone who knows the market knows how safe it is here. We invest our lives in making a living, we don't deserve to have such things written about us."

Increased police presence strengthens the sense of security

During my tour of Talpiot Market, the presence of police officers, municipal inspectors, and police vehicles was particularly noticeable. The merchants emphasized that this was no coincidence: "We demanded it," explains Nissim Salman, chairman of the Talpiot Market Merchants' Committee, Herzl and Halutz. "We contacted the municipality and the police, and asked for more enforcement officers. There is a coordinated effort by everyone here to protect the market."

Salman emphasizes that he is assisted by Mayor Yona Yahav and his assistant Paz Glickman in promoting the market's affairs. "Yahav and Paz are very attentive to what we need for the market," he explains, "because they know that our only interest is that the market will work and be a safe place for Haifa residents. We are waiting to see the major renovation that we were promised at the market. People will not believe what Talpiot Market will look like after the renovation. I am already waiting to see the work begin and the final results."

Salman emphasizes that anyone who comes to tour the Talpiot market and see what the market is like will discover that the market offers a safe shopping and entertainment experience. "I hear council members and residents," he says, "claiming that there are all kinds of problems in the market, and it's impossible to criticize without actually going to the market and seeing what's going on here. It's important to understand that this is the livelihood of hundreds of people who work very hard, and when they hear that incorrect things are being spread, it angers them that their livelihood is being harmed for no reason. If someone takes a tour of the market, I'll happily hear anything, but saying things without basis is unacceptable."

Customers who came to shop during the afternoon said they felt very safe: "The streets are lit, there is movement of people, police, inspectors - everything looks very neat and clean," said one customer. A longtime shop owner added: "In my entire life here, since I was ten, I have never seen the market as safe and pleasant as it is now."

Real estate on the rise: from a negligible investment to a million shekels or more

The rise in real estate values ​​in the Talpiot market has become a solid fact in recent years. Apartments that could once have been purchased for several hundred thousand shekels are now being offered for sale for a million shekels or even more. Some of the apartments being invested in on Sirkin Street are approaching 2 million.

According to the traders, the market's success and its transformation into a desirable entertainment area are the main reasons for the increase. But this success, they claim, is also attracting foreign interests. "There are brokers and real estate people who make a profit even when the value drops - and then they spread rumors that will supposedly damage the market's image. This is not only unfair, it is destructive," claims the committee chairman.

The Downtown Revolution as a Model for Reconstruction – and Talpiot Market Following in Its Footsteps

The revolution that Haifa's downtown underwent, during Yona Yahav's tenure as mayor, preceded the revolution in Talpiot Market, but in contrast to the downtown, in which the municipality invested enormous sums, Talpiot Market developed mainly as a result of the initiative of one brave man, who saw the market's potential as a place for entertainment. In the downtown, the municipality invested large sums, Tzachi Terno led the change, and instead of an area that was previously known mainly for the activity of the port, the sailors, and the Dagon houses – the area became a center for entertainment. In contrast, in Talpiot Market, Peron established the "Talpiot" restaurant on Sirkin Street about a decade ago. Slowly and quietly, more places began to open around his restaurant – bars, cafes, and restaurants. Sirkin Street took on new life.

Restaurants, cafes, and local tourism attract a diverse audience

During the day, the market is bustling with life. During the day, many shoppers come to buy fruit, vegetables, fish, and pastries, and in the evenings, the place fills up with revelers. The cultural mix, the authentic, and the boutique atmosphere have made Talpiot a destination for young people, families, and local tourists.

One of the most notable restaurants is the Thai restaurant, whose owner came to Haifa thanks to an opportunity that opened up here. The head chef, Guy Blau, a graduate of Chef Games, lives in the market itself. "I love this place," he says, "I see how much it's changing, developing. There are things that still need to be improved, but there's hope here, movement, a love for food and culture."

A merchant's story: "I started at the age of 10 – I haven't stopped since"

During the tour, I met a trader who proudly said he had been in the market since he was 10 years old. "I unloaded trucks, boxes - anything I could, I wanted to make a profit," he says. "I would go to school in the morning, and in the afternoon I would run to the market."

He talks about his love for the place, his perseverance, and his sense of ownership of the human and business fabric.
"I've been here for over 30 years, and right now, when there's light, order, and a sense of security, someone is publishing fake news. It's annoying. I do everything I can – parking, service, cleaning – and then people from outside come and destroy everything we've built in a second."

A history spanning over 80 years: from the founding of the state to the present day

Talpiot Market opened in 1940 with about 200 businesses. Initially, agricultural produce from the Jezreel Valley, the Galilee, and Samaria was marketed there. The basement floor was used for wholesale trade. World War II led to a decline in activity, but the wholesale traders remained, and the upper floors were converted to various uses – including the offices of the Hadar Committee and agricultural organizations.

In the 90s, a change occurred for the worse – the population of Hadar changed, the place was neglected, and the market declined. Many of the shops left the market complex and moved to nearby streets. The upper floors were locked and abandoned, and the market almost disappeared from the urban map. But not anymore. Thanks to investments, private initiatives, and municipal action – the market is alive and well, and now, perhaps more than ever, is fighting for its good name.

A sense of mission – not just a business

Many of the market's business owners see it not just as a place to work, but as a mission. "I know every stone here," says one of the veteran merchants. "Like a family. We really are a family. We all know the children, the stories. To hear someone slander the market without checking first is personally hurtful." They emphasize that the market is not perfect, but they are open to constructive criticism. "Want to comment? Come on a tour. Talk to us. Don't write things that harm the livelihoods of dozens of families," say the merchants. "We are here every day, rain or shine, holidays and Saturdays, for the customers. We deserve to be recognized for that."

The future: a combination of tradition, commerce and community

The market today is at a crossroads – on the one hand, commercial success, rising real estate values, tourist demand and a sense of security. On the other hand, an image struggle, business pressures and renewed competition. All this within a changing urban reality.

But one thing is clear: the business owners in Talpiot Market are not giving up. They believe in the future, continue to invest, and are not willing to allow disinformation to destroy the rehabilitation of one of the most authentic and beloved areas in the city of Haifa.