Ökologische Marktwirtschaft.
A specialised organic grocery store in Oberblik.
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Image: Caroline West Author: Caroline West Keywords: ökologische marktwirtschaft |
The Ökologische Marktwirtschaft tucked away in the Heerstrasse in Oberbilk is a unique spot in the city that combines an environmentally friendly store, a dining room and meeting place.
A full range of whole, organic and macrobiotic foods; cosmetics produced without animal testing; biological washing powder, detergents and textiles can be found in this cosy store. Freshly bread is offered daily from various bakeries. Fruit and vegetables are largely supplied by the Demeter Yards in the Windrather Tal. A part of the rich cheese counter is also filled with products from the Windrather Tal. Once a year the customers can drive to this yard and experience an idea of how their food is produced.
The store is a joint project that has arisen out of a food-coop; it belongs to a great percentage to it's customers and employees. Their ambition is to sell first-class food, generate jobs, bring a personal atmosphere to shopping and to support regional cultivation.
Giving advice is a priority of the team lead by Edith Krieger, most of whom speak English. Japanese who are new in Dusseldorf can contact Kaori Kitsunezaki, the Japanese employee who is in the shop every second Wednesday and three Saturdays in the month for any requests or queries they might have.
The whole atmosphere, the shop the yard, the café, the staff and the customers make up something I had experienced many times in the United States around the universities. Everyone was chatty and friendly, no one went without a smile. There were no bored check out assistants here! You can grab a café latte in the shop or make your way through the rambling yard to the dining room at the the back of the property. Here you can have lunch at 1pm for just 6 euros if you book by 11am. The cooks of the Niemandsland association treat you daily, apart from Sundays, to an organic, vegetarian wholefood menu which is very filling and good.
The property and yard are shared with the Rappelkiste Kindergaten so at times it can be very lively and colourful! There are rooms that can be rented out for workshops. The most charming addition I spotted was the facility of the environmentally friendly laundry. For 2 euros including biodegradable detergent you can turn that tiresome task into something more cheerful , do your laundry here, make new friends and enjoy a drink and a homemade flapjack in the shop whilst you wait.
On Fridays you can enjoy a macrobiotic meal here for 6 euros, at 7pm, cooked by Wolfgang Ober. Please book by 5pm. Periodically there are also macrobiotic cookery classes on offer See the link for details.
Do go along to the shop. It’s a little experience in itself. Pia and I will certainly be back just to gaze at the huge selection of teas again!
Heerstrasse 19
40227 Düsseldorf
Phone: 0211 721 3626
Mo to Thurs 9am – 7pm
Fr 9am – 8pm
Sat 9.am – 2pm every 3rd. Sat of the month 9.am – 6pm
