Epicerie Binck

Epicerie Binck is a historic grocery store relocated to the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras open-air museum in Niederkorn, standing today as one of the last witnesses of an era before supermarkets existed in Luxembourg.

Where did this grocery come from?

The shop opened in 1919 in nearby Differdange, at 55 Avenue de la Liberté (formerly Avenue de la Gare). It was run by the Binck-Jacoby family and served mainly local miners as well as executives from the surrounding mines and steelworks. The store remained in continuous operation until the 1980s, supplying generations of residents in the Minett mining basin with everyday goods.

Why was it moved to the museum?

After the original premises in Differdange closed for good, the building was dismantled and rebuilt at Fond-de-Gras to preserve it for future generations. Today the epicerie is part of Minett Park, an open-air museum documenting the region's industrial and mining heritage. The store is regarded as one of the last surviving examples of the small, family-run neighbourhood shops that once formed the backbone of everyday commerce, long before large supermarket chains took over.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior recreates the fittings of a typical general store from the first half of the 20th century, with wooden counters, drawers for loose goods, and shelves stocked with everyday food items. One particularly telling detail is a drawer labelled "Polenta," reflecting the demographic diversity of the surrounding mining settlements — a substantial Italian immigrant community lived and worked in the region, and cornmeal for polenta was a staple of their diet.

When can you visit?

Epicerie Binck is open to visitors on a seasonal basis. In summer it is open on Sundays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on summer Saturdays as well as spring and autumn Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

What else is worth knowing about the site?

Fond-de-Gras, where the shop stands, was once a mining hub and is now the heart of the Minett Park museum complex, which also includes the village of Lasauvage, the former open-pit mine "Giele Botter," and the Celtic oppidum of Titelberg. As the shop approaches its centennial anniversary, Minett Park has been collecting memories and archival photographs from former customers and neighbours, with plans to publish a commemorative book about its history.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the shop free? Yes, visiting Epicerie Binck is free of charge.

Where exactly is the shop located? At 2, Fond-de-Gras, 4576 Niederkorn, within the Minett Park open-air museum.

Was the shop always at this location? No — it originally operated in Differdange from 1919 until the 1980s and was moved to Fond-de-Gras after its closure to preserve it.

Which family ran the shop? The Binck-Jacoby family.