Ten years from concept to realization, and a two-year delay due to the war. Last week, Dafna'Le Complex was inaugurated—a new culinary tourism complex at the entrance to Kibbutz Dafna, with an investment of NIS 14 million.
The project, which was planned to open in November 2023, was postponed due to the fighting in the north, when most Galilee settlements, including Kibbutz Dafna, were evacuated for several months. The opening of the complex brings a breath of hope for upgrading entertainment venues in the Upper Galilee, most of which closed following the war, and many of which have yet to resume activity.
Dafna'le Complex maintains a rural Galilee character, using green building materials and design. Only 1,000 square meters out of 5.5 dunams in the complex are built, while the nature, size, and height of the buildings remain single-story. In the center of the complex is a wide lawn, benches, and meticulous landscaping.
The project allowed for expansion and the creation of new jobs for entrepreneurs from the Galilee, giving priority to local business owners who have proven their success. Traffic and safety aspects were also arranged for entry from the main road, with ample parking, in a complex separated from the kibbutz area.
What Opened in the Complex
The first businesses to open are: A new store for NAOT shoes, Pizza Truck, Bakery-Golan, Bouza Ice Cream, Klompus Restaurant (expected to open this month), and a nearby nursery. In the second phase, two additional businesses will open in the complex.
Segev Yeravam, CEO of the Galilee Development Company: "A decade ago, the idea was born that turned into a business initiative by Kibbutz Dafna and the Galilee Development Company, and since then we have gone through hardships and war. We did not give up on the dream; we continued with determination to establish this project for the benefit of the residents."
Ronit Badler, VP of Business Development at the Galilee Development Company: "As a business company owned by the kibbutzim of the Upper Galilee and the Northern Golan, committed to their economic existence and to developing tourism activity in the region, we mobilized to implement the project in partnership with Dafna. Hopefully, this project will encourage other entrepreneurs to invest in the Galilee and strengthen both the morale and the culinary scene for residents who have experienced difficult days."