The latest in the IKEA Eshtaol building violations saga is that it now seems IKEA will not be closing down this branch.

IKEA Eshtaol will have to close the past of the store that was built illegally, but they will be able to apply for permits for that section as well and eventually reopen it, should the permits be granted.

Globes is reporting that the Jerusalem District Court ordered IKEA to close one-third of the building. The area to be closed will be the offices and logistics center - not any part of the store itself. Seemingly they should be able to find a way to keep functioning while they apply for new permits.

It should be noted that IKEA was not in violation of the zoning laws. IKEA only rents the building from the owner of the land. The owner, a fellow named Tzahi Nahmias, owns the land, filed for the permits and built the building (according to IKEA specs) that he now rents out to IKEA. Nahmias is in violation of the zoning laws, not IKEA.

As a solution, maybe they can/should use the displays of office furniture as their office space. Sure, people will be walking through and tryign to decide what to buy, but maybe seeing how IKEA themselves use the furniture will give people ideas of what to buy and what to avoid....