A concept store of sustainable, organic and artistic products, where fashion, passion and creation swing in harmony with sustainability, nature and culture.
BorGerHub is a concept store in Antwerp that provides opportunity to entrepreneurs to sell sustainable, organic and artistic products and also offers spaces to organize events.
Sarah Neirinckx, the founder of the hub describes it’s business model as holistic and flexible where entrepreneurs are seen as human beings embedded in families and community with different time needs with an approach that business is not a suffering but a matter of joy.
Walking on the bustling Turnhoutsbaan, a busy road coming straight from the Antwerp Central Station you can not miss an unusual entrance of a small shop, where green plants and earthen pots strike your eyes as if it is a nursery of plants. This intriguing and inviting entrance some how pulls you into the shop. As you step in and go further a whole range of exiting things unveils.
BorGerHub is not just a plant centre as it appears from outside but a concept store for sustainable products, a café and a space for events. Founded six years ago by a linguist Sarah Neirinckx in a classic building, previously home to Peace Courts, the entire set-up is a big treat to everyone.
Narrating the story of BorGerHub Sarah told that the building had become empty once the Peace Courts moved into new abode. It could have gone waste. The government offered a competition open to businesses and non-profit organizations. Sarah’s idea of a concept store won the place. First it was an ordinary concept store but with the passage of time it has been transformed into sustainable businesses.
BorGerHub comprises a concept shop, an organic cafe and three beautiful spaces for events of different scale. It serves as a vibrant platform for creative entrepreneurs, all-rounders, and artists providing a flexible space to test and develop their ideas in sustainable and innovative businesses. In addition it provides spaces to hold events such as lectures, workshops and exhibitions. Café Plant bar at the Hub is a point where you can relax and enjoy a variety of bio and vegetarian healthy snacks, lunch, hot and cold drinks in beautiful atmosphere.
Currently,the concept shop, displays and sells sustainable products of 40 entrepreneurs, ranging from organic soaps and tooth pastes to natural honey, tea, coffee, cookies, syrups, yoga mats made of used clothes,cook books, reusable items like mugs and glasses, upcycled jewellery, clothing and accessories. The items are diverse and extensive but share one common thread: all products are local, sustainable, fair trade, handmade, or have a unique story.
BorGerHub also offers stunningly beautiful spaces for events including concerts, photo shoots and art workshops at very affordable prices. Its just 15 minutes walking distance from Antwerp Central Station, also accessible by buses and trams. All three spaces very in size and style. Café Plant bar at the Hub is a point where you can relax and enjoy a variety of bio and vegetarian healthy snacks, lunch, hot and cold drinks.
In the store one can find a range of sustainable products by TurtleGreen: an environmentally friendly brand that focuses on sustainability and eco-friendly products. The company promotes green living by offering items made from natural or recycled materials and by supporting environmental awareness. TurtleGreen encourages people to make responsible choices to protect nature and create a cleaner future for the planet.
Among the examples of beautiful yet sustainable products sold at the store is elegant Kibibi jewellery, designed by An Deleu and crafted by Ugandan artists and organizations using recycled materials. An believes that the Kibibi brand helps shape the world as we would like to see it. “With core values such as transparency, fairness, originality, circularity, and craftsmanship, we create beautiful jewellery that is simply meant to be enjoyed for its beauty. We cherish the uniqueness of every individual and consciously keep our production small,” said An.
Arianna Razzano turns thrift fabrics into beautiful patchwork items like cushions and runners. All items are handmade and various techniques such as embroidery, block printing and hand sewing are applied to beautify them. Ariana grew up with both her grandmas in a small town in southern Italy. She tells “I’ve learned by my grandma Angela to get the best out of fabrics scraps since that’s how she used to financially support herself, by making handmade blankets, pillows, runners and so on”. Her other grandma Domenica taught her about building up self confidence especially by wearing colors, matching several patterns and never care about prejudgment.
In the concept store you can also find artisanal syrup by De Siroperje. The company makes natural syrups using mostly local and organic ingredients. Their products are designed for homemade lemonades, mocktails, cocktails, and warm drinks. De Siroperie focuses on quality, sustainability, and authentic flavors inspired by nature.
About the Founder
Sarah Neirinckx is a linguist who teaches Swahili at the University of Antwerp. She studied African Languages and Cultures at Ghent University, where she wrote her thesis on practical Swahili and graduated with great distinction.
During her studies, she spent a year as an exchange student at the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London, further strengthening her academic and regional expertise. Sarah gained field experience in a small village on the east coast of Zanzibar during this period. Afterwards, she completed a Master’s after a Master’s in Development Studies at Ghent University.
Over the years, she has lived and worked in several international contexts, including Zanzibar, Kenya, Vietnam, and Zambia. These experiences shaped her strong commitment to intercultural dialogue and inclusive development, and continue to influence both her academic work and community engagement today.
Currently based in Belgium, Sarah continues teaching Swahili at the University of Antwerp and works as a coach for the Enabel Junior Programme, supporting young professionals in their international trajectories. She is also the founder of BorGerHub, a platform that brings together people from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds to collaborate around entrepreneurship, social impact, and community-building.
Drawing on the expertise and perspectives she gained abroad, she applies a strong diversity-driven, sustainable, and holistic approach within the BorGerHub community, helping connect local initiatives with global insights and encouraging inclusive, future-oriented entrepreneurship
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