Around the world in new Merksem breakfast bar Explorenza (Antwerp)
Two sisters-in-law opened Explorenza on the Bredabaan in Merksem. That is a breakfast bar aimed at all the long journeys of the two Antwerp ladies. “We want to keep the travel feeling here,” they say.
Getting up early is no problem for sisters-in-law Ghadija Akouk (37) and Salua El Gzaoui (31). From now on they are ready at half past seven to open their business on the Bredabaan to receive the first customers with an early breakfast of a coffee. Customers can choose between a French, American, Turkish or Moroccan breakfast.
The sisters-in-law and friendships come from a completely different sector “I was coordinator of three nurseries and Salua worked in care. We were a new challenge and wanted to start a business of our own. We got the inspiration for the breakfast bar from the travels we have all made. I am already in Indonesia, Mexico, Belize, New York, Jordan, but also Portugal and England,” says Ghadija.
Whenever Ghadija comes home from a trip, she wants to keep that holiday feeling for as long as possible. And that is exactly the feeling that the two ladies also want to give their customers in Merksem. “We provide color in these gray and dark times. Away from the daily routine.”
On the menu are mainly focused and healthy dishes such as fruity bowls full of fruit or healthy lunch bowls full of vegetables. But there are also sandwiches and desserts.
“We are not from Merksem, but we did find a large and suitable building for our business here. The property also has a large space that we are turning into a children’s room. This way, parents can come by without any worries and let their child play there.”