In 2024, the multidisciplinary knowledge centre for the tree nursery industry at Business Centre Treeport, ROOTZ, opened its doors. ROOTZ functions as a living laboratory, testing environment and meeting place, matching what the name stands for: Ruimte voor Onderzoek en Ontmoeting met Treeport Zundert (space for research and collaboration with Treeport Zundert). The main focus of the knowledge centre is to facilitate activities related to the tree nursery industry. This includes plant research, vertical farming, research into active substances, education, robotics, energy and biobased construction, soil and water analyses and much more. Sustainability is the guiding principle. Naturally, an innovative design was chosen for the building, including water collection and a green roof. The exterior façade is fitted with special wall panels made from residual wood streams and will partly be covered with living greenery.

Sustainability and collaboration
ROOTZ fits seamlessly into the concept of Business Centre Treeport, which is the heart of the tree nursery business of Zundert and the surrounding area. In addition to ROOTZ, the BCT also offers space for tree nursery-related companies such as a cold storage facility, logistics companies, companies innovating in energy solutions and biobased materials. This thematic business park, with a surface area of 62 hectares, is housing companies that create win-win situations through collaboration and crossovers.

New dimension
On Tuesday 7 April, the brand-new Brasserie ROOTZ will open at ROOTZ. This adds a new dimension to the area development; ROOTZ is not only a centre for research and knowledge, but also offers space for companies and organisations to meet and to organise meetings, knowledge sessions and gatherings.

Entrepreneurs Arjan Schrauwen and Mariska van Hooijdonk, from the blind kitchen of Grof & Fijn Gemalen in Etten-Leur, will operate Brasserie ROOTZ starting 1 April.
And they have ambitious plans for the brasserie, as Mariska explains: “At this new sustainable location, we are focusing on two tracks. On the one hand, providing delicious sandwiches to companies at the business parks, which they can order from us (online) for takeaway, and on the other hand offering a good lunch location in the brasserie.”
Mariska continues: “My partner Arjan and I are both chefs. When we were forced to stay at home during the coronavirus period, the idea of starting a catering company developed, and that turned out to be a good plan. At Brasserie ROOTZ, everything we love comes together: cooking with quality products, welcoming people and creating a place where you enjoy coming together. Although we immediately fell in love with the location, we still had to sleep on it. We had to make sure that we could combine running the brasserie with raising our children the way we want to. But in the end, we concluded that we are able to make it work.”

Opting for Grof & Fijn Gemalen as operator was an easy choice. Mariska: “When discussing the business case and expectations, it became clear that our visions align very well. In our brasserie, the focus will therefore be on excellent products, as locally produced as possible, and on sustainability. This sustainability is also reflected in the design and surroundings of (Brasserie) ROOTZ. The quality of our products and services comes first.”
For lunch, there is a wide choice of various sandwiches, salads and hot dishes. Naturally, there is also a wide selection of bread, as well as different types of croquettes. For the sandwich service, there is a wide selection of sandwiches, ranging from special cheeses to specialties such as carpaccio sandwiches and luxury ‘filet americain’. Vegetarian sandwiches are also on the menu. “Our sandwiches are often made with Italian flatbread, Schiacciata, with a crispy yet soft texture,” Mariska adds proudly.

“We want our guests to enjoy themselves in a green and inspiring environment. Whether you come to Brasserie ROOTZ for a meeting, to meet others, or simply for a good cup of coffee or to celebrate with a drink, you’ll always feel welcome. We look forward to getting started!”, concludes Mariska van Hooijdonk enthusiastically.

Brasserie ROOTZ is located in the ROOTZ building at Treeport 1, 4891 PZ in Rijsbergen. In addition to the hospitality area, it has two meeting rooms. Reservations for seats in the brasserie or meeting rooms can be made via the websites, as well as ordering sandwiches for takeaway. Brasserie ROOTZ is open on weekdays between 11:00 and 15:30 and is freely accessible.

You can find Brasserie Rootz on the socials via brasserie_rootz or online via brasserierootz.nl/info@brasserierootz.nl.