Same observation at Mohamed’s, in a telephone store. “From the 15th of the month, we see, people are tightening their belts. People even come to sell their phones.”he says, pointing out the responsibility of large brands and online commerce. “We therefore specialize in what you cannot find online: services, such as repairs.“
This is the busiest commercial artery in Brussels: “Regular residents of the neighborhood appreciate this popular simplicity”
“Everything has changed a lot”
If morale is at half mast today on rue Marie-Christine, this was not always the case. With nostalgia, many miss the commercial dynamism of the past. “We called it ‘little rue Neuve’”smiles again Wendy, florist whose shop has existed since the 70s.Personally, I have nothing to complain about because I have my customers who come for me. But everything has changed a lot. Before, people came here on weekends to shop.”
Behind the boutique counters, the lack of commercial diversity of the artery is highlighted, namely a proliferation of small food businesses. “Since 2000, the neighborhood has changed. The old ones retired and they were replaced by snacks, fruit and vegetables, hairdressers, bakeries… Only food. But before, there was everything and luxury shops. Clothes, furniture, three cinemas”Philippe remembers with a smile the well-known roastery.
“Iconic? The street is unfortunately no longer emblematic”in turn points to Sumeyya, from a clothing store. She mentions the disappearance of major brands like Di, Planet Parfum and Bristol. “It brought people back. Now it lacks diversity. It’s a shame because this neighborhood really has potential, I believe in it.“
“Before, our shopping street was very chic, now it’s becoming Rue de Brabant. Some people no longer feel comfortable”
-But not everyone has this optimism.“It’s getting worse and worse.”sighs, on the sidewalk, Célia. “However, I lived here. I came for walks with my son all the time. It was a marvel, a very beautiful neighborhood. Now I only come when I have to drop off a letter and then I leave immediately“, she laments. “It’s sad what happened to this neighborhood.“
For her part, Wendy regrets “bad reputation“from which rue Marie-Christine suffers, particularly in terms of security.”I grew up here. There is no more problem here than anywhere else.”
A “priority” area
Contacted, the new Brussels alderman for Economic Affairs announced that “the Bockstael-Marie-Christine district is one of the priority areas, one of those arteries that have received too little attention.” Didier Wauters (Les Engagés) evokes “a commercial identity to be redefined with residents, traders and users”.
At this time, no strong measures to announce: the college of aldermen has just been established and the first budget is being drawn up. “But we are not going to launch into studies on all sides. We want results”promises the new alderman.
