New neighbors

June 7, 2007 - 2:59 PM by

My office in the center of Jerusalem is in a fairly nondescript 14-story building, inhabited mostly by upscale law firms. The plaza outside the building, however, is a mishmash of sleepy hair dressers, shoe repair booths, tailors, and cosmetic service storefronts, giving it a little of the feel of a ‘central bus station’ bargain basement. Not quite seedy, but you wouldn’t mistake it for Rodeo Drive.

The storefront across from the building entrance has been vacant for a while, and in the last few weeks, carpenters and painters have been busily transforming the interior into a pink-colored fiesta for the eyes. Another women’s cosmetics store, I thought, as I passed it a few times a day as it took shape.

This morning, though, I realized I had been mistaken. Behind the glass display cases, were life-sized female mannequins dressed in nighttime apparel that looked like a cross between Victoria’s Secret and Fredrick’s of Hollywood. I shared a comment with the guard in the building about this new negligee store opening up, and he said, “What negligee store? It’s going to be an adult sexual aid store.”

Victoria

The elevator ride upstairs was abuzz with folks saying there should be a protest against the opening, that it’s cheapening the area, and will attract the wrong element. Another rider wondered aloud if there’d be discounts for building personnel.

Whichever side you fall on, it’s clear that the plaza outside is going to be sleepy no longer.

Tags: • Category: General, Israeliness, Life, Pop Culture 

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