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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Eisden Market Celebrates 100 Years Amid Efforts to Attract New Visitors

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The market in Eisden, Maasmechelen, Belgium, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with various activities.
  • Local officials are working to attract younger families to revitalize the market, which has seen a decline in visitors compared to past decades.
  • Despite fewer stalls and visitors, loyal customers continue to frequent the market, appreciating its atmosphere.

Eisden's market in Maasmechelen, Belgium, is marking its centenary with a day of celebration, including a breakfast featuring fresh products and free sports activities like guided walks, mountain bike tours, and yoga. The market, located under the church tower, offers a variety of goods including vegetables, fruits, and plants. Tanja Imbornone, the alderman for Finance and Markets, acknowledged that the market is not as busy as it was 30 years ago but noted a positive trend. "We have invested a bit more in the market, which has made it more attractive and helps us draw in young families," she said. The municipality's efforts to introduce engaging activities aim to introduce the market to new visitors, with many expressing surprise at its pleasant atmosphere. "Many people say they didn't know it was this cozy here at the market," Imbornone added. Long-time visitors like Berthi van der Lee, who has been coming for 40 years, still find the market a pleasant place to visit, even though he observes fewer stalls and a smaller crowd compared to the past, attributing this partly to competition from supermarkets. "It's always nice to come here, to the Eisden market," he said.

We have invested a bit more in the market, which has made it more attractive and helps us draw in young families.

— Tanja ImbornoneEisden's alderman for Finance and Markets, discussing efforts to revitalize the local market.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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