Exploitation museum café BRUSK allocated to De Republiek
BRUSK is quietly emerging in the heart of the historic city centre, an exhibition hall that represents an important step toward a new site: the Bruges Museum Quarter. Besides large exhibition halls, an auditorium, studios, research centre BRON and a green museum park, the impressive museum building will also house a museum café.
With the allocation of the concession of the catering outlet within BRUSK to De Republiek, this part of the new exhibition hall is also gradually taking shape. De Republiek - known for its Grand Café in Sint-Jakobsstraat and as the driving force behind numerous socio-cultural initiatives - will operate the catering space in BRUSK in cooperation with the social customisation company ODAS. The concept aims to create a low-threshold, inclusive space where meeting, culture and social engagement are central. It will be a place where residents and visitors can feel at home to the rhythm of the seasons.
More than just an ordinary catering business
With the launch of the catering business in BRUSK, De Republiek is further expanding its sustainable catering network. Hospitality, culture, society and social entrepreneurship come together there in an approachable, high-quality and contemporary concept.
De Republiek is tackling some key challenges: developing a hospitality model that is not only economically sustainable, but also generates social impact by, for example, providing opportunities for people distanced from the labour market. Sustainability, health and a thoughtful food strategy are central. In addition, the local economy is stimulated by working with short-chain producers. In this way, De Republiek creates a catering concept that is not only financially profitable, but also has a positive impact on the wider community.
Ten years of City Makers
In this way, De Republiek is expanding the dynamic it has been spreading in the city since 2015. As a community of City Makers, De Republiek forms a network with everyone who wants to contribute to a new urban dynamic. With a mix of doers, thinkers, makers and entrepreneurs, they are available for everyone who lives and works in the city. The City Makers rebel in a gentle and positive way and form a creative hub in the city with the premises in Sint-Jakobsstraat as a space for experimentation, imagination and igniting ideas. And it has been for 10 years. This makes the follow-up story that De Republiek will write within BRUSK the icing on their birthday cake.
The official opening of the museum café will take place during BRUSK's festive opening weekend from 7 to 10 May 2026.