Tel Aviv already has a Soho and it is located on Sheinkin Street. We feel, though, that Chashmnona'im St. which is in central Tel Aviv has a great potential of becoming yet another one. Parted by Rothschild Blvd, it is one of longest and most diverse streets in our city. The name "Chashmona'im" was given to the street to commemorate the Jews (also: the Maccabim) who revolted against the Greek occupation during the 2nd. Century BCE the Second Temple era).
The Eastern part of this street, beginning at Menachem Begin St. is more crowded and businesslike. The fact that you can find a store to buy a needle for your gramophone and right next to it one which sells designer clothes implies that this street is reflecting Tel Aviv's mood. Tel Avivians wish to have both vintage and prestigious items on the same place and of course to be able to pop into Office Depot on their way home to buy stationary. Chashmona'im Street is becoming one such place. Here you can find professional bike stores, running gear and the flag shop of The North Face (extreme sports clothes).
You may not know, but a Tel Aviv Street is not considered a "place worth hanging out in" unless it is blessed with at least two (or three or four) branches of the main coffee shop chains. Here we have Cup O' Joe, the first branch of the famous Israeli coffee chain and Café Café which has joined recently.
Another Israeli fashionable trend is Bakery boutiques. The first of this lot was located on Chashmona'im Street. It's called "Lechamim" (in English: "bread") and their products are delicious. Wine lovers and connoisseurs will find it interesting to visit "Derech Hayayin"(in English: "Wine Route") specialty store. This is the chain's branch in Tel Aviv where special events take place in the wine cellar: seminars, launches of special wines and wine tasting (on Fridays).
The leading producer and exporter of tea in Israel, Wissotzky, that established its first tea plant production in Israel in 1936 has located its "Tea House" on Chashmona'im Street. This Tea House offers the public an unforgettable "tea experience" and provides a wealth of information about tea.
Business and pleasure co-reside on Chashmona'im St. Many law and accountants offices are located here and at lunch time it gets quite hectic. Look around and you'll also find the fun side of life. City Sauna, at no. 113, is a sauna for gay men. Step inside and you'll find yourself in a huge video hall with private show rooms, porn films and videos, showers and a variety of other attractions.
In case you get tired of this Eastern more noisy section of the street, you are invited to cross the busiest intersection (Karlibach Street) and proceed towards the street's Western part, which is so different from its Eastern counterpart that it's almost impossible to believe it is the same street. You will be climbing uphill and reaching Rothschild Boulevard, where you may decide to take a short break and catch your breath. This is a good place to do it as it is the highest spot in Tel Aviv and hence - the most airy. Continue walking (now it's downhill) and since it is quite a steep walk you may even be reminded of San Francisco. A neighborhood café is located at the corner of Ahad-Ha'am Street: Noah's Café (yes, the biblical guy with the Arc). This place is becoming one of the places to see and be seen and more than several local celebs have chosen it as their favorite meeting point. Continue strolling till the end, at King George Street, where you'll reach a medium size public park (Gan Meir).
King George is another world to write home about and we'll do it in a later post. In the meantime,enjoy Chashmona'im Street.
