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First mall in Arab town opens
Um el-Fahem mall boasts five stories, spans across 140,000 square feet. Owner says major Israeli chains initially refused to open stores there, 'but now they are probably sorry they didn't'
Yehudit Yahav
The first mall in the Arab sector in Israel opened this week in Um el-Fahem at a NIS 40 million (roughly USD 9 million) investment. The Abed al-Latif mall, named after its owner, spans across five stories and some 140,000 square feet. The first two floors host a variety of 18 stores, while the other three are dedicated to Latif's furnishing empire.
Most of the shops at the mall offer products manufactured in the Arab sector, while some are stores typical of most malls in the country. According to Latif, many big and well-known Israeli chains were reluctant to open a branch at the mall, "and now they probably regret this."
"Our target audience is not just the Arab sector, but all Israelis and travelers on their way up north and back," said Latif, who preaches for Jewish-Arab coexistence. "We intend to brand it as the cheapest mall in Israel," he added.
The mall's façade echoes a hi-tech building, while its interior was designed in Italian style. It has 150 parking spots and will be open all week-long, including Saturdays. The new mall joins the various attractions the town has to offer, among them the excellent art gallery, the ancient mosques, its spectacular view and its eastern-style restaurants.
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