Holon Iconic Falafel Stand Closes After Four Decades Due to Light Rail Works

A major blow to traditional businesses in Holon: Sokolov Street, one of the city's most prominent central arteries, has said goodbye to one of its most iconic culinary institutions after four decades. The legendary falafel stand at 98 Sokolov Street has permanently closed its doors, leaving generations of residents with fond memories.

The story began about 40 years ago when the Arusi family established the small stand, turning it into a household name in Holon. Over the years, the place was led by Moti Shohami, who started as a partner and later managed the stand, maintaining the winning formula: hot, crispy, green falafel, alongside sabich, schnitzel in pita, kibbeh, and omelets. Shohami became famous throughout the city not only for his dishes, but also for extensive community involvement, including donating hot meals to lone soldiers and those in need.

This painful closure follows a prolonged and difficult period of infrastructure work along the street. Light rail construction, traffic arrangement changes, and numerous roadblocks severely damaged accessibility to the area, causing a sharp drop in customer traffic. While passersby once routinely stopped by or dropped in on their way, reaching the stand became an overly complex mission.

Alongside the decline in traffic, the physical space surrounding the business changed completely. The sidewalk area where customers waited shrank, and as part of development works, a large infrastructure transformer was placed directly in front of the stand's facade, ruining the business visibility and making the stay even more difficult.

The combination of traffic disruption and physical changes led Shohami to make the difficult decision to close the Holon institution. The stand now remains shut as the street around it continues to undergo transformation.