HEMA fills the empty space of bankrupt Big Bazar in the Marsdijk shopping center

Marsdijk shopping center in Assen will get a HEMA. The well-known department store fills the empty square meters that Big Bazar left behind last fall after the bankruptcy of the bargain chain. The HEMA branch is expected to open sometime after the summer holidays.

“Ideally, HEMA would have been open this summer, but special work needs to be done on the power grid and there is a waiting period of six to eight weeks for that, which is unbelievable,” says chairman Paul Albronda of the retailers’ association in Marsdijk .

Albronda is happy with the arrival of the department store chain. “This strengthens the various branches that we have in our shopping center. HEMA is a big draw. I really expect that such a well-known department store brand will attract more people to us. And everything that will soon be shopping there may also drop by. into our store,” laughs Albronda, who runs the Bruna bookstore.

However, HEMA will also be more competitive for certain stores, such as Zeeman, where clothing, underwear and towels are also for sale. “But I also sell school supplies and office supplies, which is what HEMA is also well known for. I think it is healthy, a bit of competition. I mainly see advantages for our shopping center with such a crowd-puller,” says Albronda.

It will be the third HEMA branch in Assen. Because in addition to the HEMA in the city center on Koopmansplein, there is also one in Kloosterveste. The department store will have approximately 750 square meters of retail space in Marsdijk. In addition to the departure of the bankrupt Big Bazar, the empty space of fashion store Nicky’s Fashion is also being added. It is not yet known whether the HEMA in Marsdijk will also have a drinking and dining facility.