While shopping centers are a well-known phenomenon in the fast consumption world, there aren’t many them that focus on sustainable products. In fact, there’s just a handful of them. For those living in Brussels or visiting anytime soon, a new sustainable shopping address will be added to the Belgian capital: La Galerie Marchande. Located in the buzzing Gare Maritime of Tour & Taxis, it will, without a doubt, soon be the new place to be for anyone with an eco consciousness.
La Galerie Marchande was imagined by founder Céleste Kabanyana. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign on Ulule, the sustainable shopping center, which measures no less than 700 square meters, was able to open its doors on November 21st, according to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir.
Kabanyana designed the place after turning her life around herself. Even though she was still a novice on the subject, the idea of a sustainable all-in-one place seemed like an easy and logical concept.
“It seemed like it would be easier to lead a more sustainable lifestyle if everything could be grouped in one place, a little like a shopping center for everything sustainable. A place where information would be clear, where transparency would reign and where you could do some shopping without feeling guilty. And so, after two years, I’m creating this magical place where people will be able to find ethical, local and qualitative products, without having to search for them”, she wrote on the crowdfunding page.
The shopping center is designed as a four-in-one kind of place, combing four kinds of shops under one roof. First, there’s a supermarket, where people will be able to find everything, from in season, local veggies to personal hygiene products. Secondly, La Galerie Marchande proposes a selection of clothing – some of the brands are new, others well-established, but they all have a sustainable approach and the brands will change every three months. Thirdly, cosmetic lovers will be able to fill their baskets at the drugstore part of the shopping center. And last but not least, there will be a coffee corner with freshly ground coffee, where you can either pause for a minute while shopping or do some work behind your laptop.
Moreover, on Sundays customers will be welcome for a Sunday Brunch, there will be workshops every month, ‘quiet hours’ will assure the store is accessible to everyone and all furnishings will be made from second hand materials. Overall, an eco conscious hotspot to add to your must-visit list.
