The ever-busy Statielei in Mortsel is one more store richer. Baysal Sezgin, together with his three brothers, started Vers Markt Plein, a supermarket that has both Turkish and Belgian products on the shelves.
It is quite a large store, there in the Statielei, right next to a bank and between some travel agencies and sewing shops. Baysal Sezgin is behind the cash register paying. When we saw him earlier, he was behind the meat counter. His own job description seems as diverse as the selection in his supermarket.
“We think it is important that our customers find both typical Turkish and Belgian products here,” says Baysal. “Just think of special pastries and cookies, for example. But also authentic grain products or marinated preparations. We also have everything you would expect in a supermarket. We debone the carcasses ourselves at the back of the shop, everything is delivered fresh.”
Although the business has only just opened, the Sezgin brothers are already thinking about expanding. “We also make sandwiches,” says Baysal. “In the future, we would like to keep a corner in our business free, so that people can eat there quietly at a table.”
By the way, the brothers are not ready for their test piece. They also already have a supermarket in nearby Lier. “Although it is smaller than our store in the Statielei,” says Baysal. “We stripped the entire building and rebuilt it. It is fortunate that we could find such a large property.”
New discoveries
In the meantime, many local residents have also come to discover the new business. “You don’t have a large Turkish community here, but that’s not a problem,” Baysal laughs. “It’s nice when people taste things they don’t know yet. By the way, it is a mix of nationalities that we have already received. We have also received many positive responses. Everyone is happy that a new business has been added. There used to be a Polish supermarket here, now a Turkish one. So there’s always something to discover.”
Tags: Vers Markt Plein Statielei love typical Turkish typical Belgian food
