Tuesday, October 20, 2026
For Mark and Maarten Verbelen, the move also marks the start of a new chapter for the family. Mark had been running the Spar in Brusselsestraat for four years. At the new location, his son Maarten will join the business. Remarkably, both father and son exchanged careers in banking for a future in food retail.
"We love supermarkets with a great fresh-food offering, where customers enjoy browsing and discovering tasty products. That's the kind of feeling we want to create in our own store. For me, it's especially rewarding to be creating that together with my father," says Maarten.
The familiar store team will make the move to the new location as well. The team is being strengthened with three new permanent co-workers and several flexi-jobbers.
Thanks to the doubled retail space, the range has been significantly expanded. Whether they're shopping for everyday essentials or picking up a quick snack, both Leuven residents and students will find exactly what they need.
The new store's key highlights are:
Local products will also play an important role. Spar Leuven Hertogensite partners with Magnolia Flowers for dried flowers and features granola from Odette Noisette.
"As local entrepreneurs, we enjoy putting fellow local makers in the spotlight and showcasing their products in our store. \u200b That way, customers can always discover something new while doing their shopping," \u200b adds Mark.
The new store also represents a step forward in sustainability. The building is equipped with a heat pump and operates entirely without gas. The new store forms part of Hertogensite, the urban regeneration project on the former hospital site. The development of the site focuses on initiatives such as a geothermal heat network, additional green spaces and new cycling and walking connections within a low-traffic environment.
On Wednesday 21 October, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Mark and Maarten will kick off the opening celebrations with an evening reception featuring snacks and drinks, a DJ and saxophonist and a fun photo booth.
The store will officially open its doors on Thursday 22 October. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., customers can sample the new fresh-food range, including soups, homemade specialities and freshly baked baguettes served with homemade spreads.
The opening promotions are equally tempting, including buy-one-get-one-free offers on selected homemade specialities from the deli section. From 5 November to 2 December, customers will also have the chance to win great prizes every week, including an electric bicycle, an iPhone 17 and a De'Longhi coffee machine.
Spar Colruyt Group Leuven Hertogensite
\u200bBrusselsestraat 73
\u200b3000 Leuven
\u200b
\u200bStore managers:
\u200bMark Verbelen and Maarten Verbelen
Colruyt Group press office
\u200bPhone: +32 (0)473 92 45 10
\u200bEmail: press@colruytgroup.com
Opening hours Spar Leuven:
\u200bMonday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
\u200bSaturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.