Every Saturday morning it is busy on the Market Square in Esch, where a weekly market fills the square. Residents walk past the stalls, buy fresh bread, fruit and cheese and chat with acquaintances. The market started as an alternative to the supermarket that closed last year and has now proven to be ‘a great success’. “People now know what they are missing,” says initiator Marjolein.
Since the supermarket closed its doors, residents of Esch had to move to surrounding villages. “But it was not only a place to do shopping, but also to meet people. That chat disappeared,” says Marjolein. That’s why she started a weekly market with three other women. “We wanted to bring back the conviviality and at the same time offer fresh products,” says Lian.
Setting up the market was not easy. Many market traders already had a permanent location or were too busy. “We were rejected dozens of times.” But the women persevered and the first weekly market started at the end of September.
“It was a drama. I could cry.”
But the first edition went smoothly. The fruit and vegetable seller did not show up. “It was a drama. I could cry,” Lian looks back. “The councilor was here to open the market and there were only two stalls. It was really a disappointment.” There has been another fruit and vegetable seller on the market since October
The first few weeks took some getting used to and not everything went smoothly. “There were huge queues on the square. Some had to wait for an hour,” says Marjolein. But this also created beautiful moments. “Everyone started chatting with each other. And that was precisely the purpose of the weekly market.” Lian adds: “A man from opposite the square brought coffee for everyone. The village feeling became stronger again.”
“People know what they are missing and want to prevent it from disappearing.”
The market is now well attended every week and the initiators call it ‘a great success’. “The fact that things are going so well is also because the supermarket is no longer there. People know what they are missing and want to prevent it from disappearing,” says Marjolein.
The supermarket was really missed, especially in the beginning, according to Esschenaar Ria. “You get used to that, but it’s nice that you can get basic products in your own village again,” she says as she puts eggs and fruit in her bicycle bag.
Fellow villager Koen comes to the market with his daughters. “I get my fruit here and then go to the supermarket for the rest. If no one comes, the market might disappear again. It is important that something stays in the village, especially for the elderly.”
The market is not just about shopping. People also speak to each other again. Leonie and Karin are chatting between shopping. “We used to do that in the supermarket. After that you hardly saw each other anymore. It’s nice to catch up again,” says Leonie.
“It is more fun to build something in a village where there is nothing left.”
The market traders are amazed at the enthusiasm in the village. “In other villages without a supermarket that is a lot less,” says cheesemonger Hans.
Art, who is on the market with his bakery, is happy with the crowds. But that is not his main reason for being here. “It is busier in a big city and it may be even easier financially. But it is much more fun to build something in a village where there is nothing left.”
The weekly market was a trial and ran until the end of December, but will certainly continue next year. Marjolein: “We were afraid that there might not be enough interest because the supermarket was closed due to too few customers. The opposite happened.”
The market is even expanding. A stall with Thai snacks, coffee and tea was added in November and from January there will also be a butcher. The market is complete with five stalls. “The fact that we can continue confirms the unity of Esch,” says Lian proudly.
Omroep Brabant has a series ‘The year of…’ during the last days of the year. This focuses on a project/company for which 2025 was an important year.