COEUR DE VILLAGE
- Type
- Retailer
- Location
- Tintigny, Belgium
- Industries
- Shortening supply chain, Food ingredients & products, Sustainable packaging & plastic alternatives
- Domains
- Fish, Animal based primary products, Fruit, Plant based primary products, Vegetables, Bakery, Processed food products, Beverages
About COEUR DE VILLAGE
Cœur de Village is a cooperative local grocery and community project based in Bellefontaine, in the Tintigny-Habay area. It was created after the planned closure of the village supermarket in 2016 triggered a citizen-led effort to preserve a local shop and reimagine the site as a cooperative business.
The company serves local residents and nearby customers looking for everyday food shopping with an emphasis on local products, organic items, and bulk goods. Beyond the grocery store, it also develops shared spaces for local entrepreneurs and service providers, positioning itself as a practical village hub rather than a conventional retail outlet.
Core Values
- Local roots: The project was built to keep a village commerce alive and to support nearby producers, artisans, and service providers.
- Citizen cooperation: The company is structured as a cooperative, with members contributing financially and, in many cases, also helping to run the store.
- Sustainability: The concept highlights local products, organic choices, and bulk shopping as ways to reduce waste and support more responsible consumption.
- Community usefulness: Cœur de Village aims to be more than a shop by creating a place that serves daily needs and supports local economic life.
Unique Aspects
- Citizen-founded rescue project: The business emerged from a community response to the announced closure of the village supermarket, with residents helping shape the concept and finance the purchase of the building.
- Cooperative ownership: The building was bought by the cooperative in 2018, giving the project a locally owned and collectively governed base.
- Integrated village hub: In addition to the grocery store, the site includes a business center for local entrepreneurs, extending the project beyond retail.
- Strong local supplier network: The store lists a broad roster of regional producers across many categories, reinforcing its role as a showcase for local food and related products.
- Shared-work model: A significant share of cooperative members are willing to contribute volunteer time in the store, which supports the project’s community-based operating model.