The idea dates back to 2017 and has just materialised in Luxembourg at the former steelworks that once served as a film studio: a cooperative.
The shop operates solely on the voluntary work of its members - hundred of them - who are the only ones allowed to shop there. This reduces the fixed running costs and allows the cooperative to offer cheaper products to its members.
One of their principles is the inclusiveness for the customer. They seek to offer products that are cheaper, but meet fewer criteria.
The project was initiated by a few members of the shared garden of the Pétrusse. Inspired by the Park Slope supermarket in Brooklyn and the Louve supermarket in Paris, these members already bought quality products on a regular basis.
For the time being, they already have some products from small Luxembourgish suppliers. Breads, soaps, and jams are just some examples.
Their aim is to increase the proportions of products directly bought from local producers and craftsmen, with an emphasis on fresh products. However, the less fortunate will not be forgotten. Inclusiveness for the consumer is one of the main principles: they also want to offer products that are cheaper, yet meet fewer criteria on an organic, ethical or local dimension.
To be an active co-operator, one has to take a share in the company, which usually amounts to about a hundred euros. From there, everyone can participate in decision-making, regardless of the amount of the share owned, as explained the co-operators. To be allowed to shop there, participants have to work three hours a month at the grocery shop, where the duties vary: each member can take care of receiving and handling products, stock keeping, cashing out or cleaning the shop...
For the time being, the Bamhaus shop is in its testing stage. It is open two days a week: Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday morning from 8 to 2 pm. The aim is to eventually open a larger grocery shop in Luxembourg, if the team grows sufficiently.
