New Residents Revitalize Northern Israeli City's Deserted Square

Kiryat Shmona's central "Hermon Square," which had been deserted for over a decade, is experiencing a revival thanks to a group of new families who have moved to the city in recent months. On Thursday, these residents inaugurated a new café and cultural center in the square, aiming to restore vibrant commercial life to the area. The opening event saw hundreds of new and long-time residents participate, including an 83-year-old woman who immigrated to the city in the late 1950s and was honored alongside a family that had just moved in the previous week.

Dani Kotan, a social entrepreneur and co-founder of "Gar'in Kiryat Shmona," is spearheading the initiative. Having moved from Tel Aviv himself, Kotan aims to create a unique space in the city offering beer, live performances, and a lively atmosphere, not just for one-time events but as a sustainable hub for people and new businesses. He chose the abandoned square, which had become a symbol of the city's decline, to counter negative portrayals and re-establish it as the "heart of Kiryat Shmona and the heart of the Galilee."

Kotan also highlighted the potential of the city's university students, aiming to create a "top premium" café with modern design and comfortable seating to attract them. He noted that unlike other university cities where students frequent the city center, Kiryat Shmona's students often seek social and community life in surrounding kibbutzim. The goal is to build a university city experience within Kiryat Shmona itself.

Bank Hapoalim, through its "Poalim Letkuma" fund, has contributed over half a million shekels to support the revitalization efforts. This funding will help establish the café and co-working space, as well as support a year-long series of cultural events titled 'Thursday Alive in the Square,' featuring live music and a night market with local businesses. The mayor of Kiryat Shmona, Avichai Stern, welcomed the new residents, acknowledging their choice to move to the city during a challenging period.

Kiryat Shmona, located near the northern border, evacuated nearly 26,000 residents in October 2023 following the outbreak of war. Currently, fewer than 10,000 have returned, and approximately 40% of businesses remain closed or operate with significantly reduced income and customer traffic. The influx of over 300 new residents in dozens of families represents a deliberate effort to rebuild the city and foster a renewed sense of community.