Schaerbeek interested in buying oldest pub in town

The Brussels commune of Schaerbeek is interested in buying the property of the former Aux Trois Rois, its oldest café. The future of the property in the Chaussée de Haecht is uncertain since the death of owner Jules Van Geel earlier this year, writes Brusselnieuws.

Van Geel, a widower since the 1990s, ran the café until his death on 1 January. The municipality of Schaerbeek is now in touch with Van Geel's children about the possibility of buying the historic 18th-century building. The heirs have agreed to first negotiate with the municipality before putting the property up for public sale, RTBF reported.

The Aux Trois Rois building was once a post office, before serving for a long time as Schaerbeek's first town hall, according to RTBF. Van Geel, known as Julo, turned the place into a café and the centre of local folklore. Although the tavern was rarely open, it often served as a meeting point for the members of folkloric associations such as Les Amis de Pogge, supporters in Van Geel's struggle to keep the Schaerbeek traditions alive.

The commune wants to prevent the building from being knocked down, and is therefore talking with Julo's children to see whether they can come to an agreement. "Aux Trois Rois could become a lively establishment that's open at the weekend and doubles as a gathering place for Schaerbeek's folkloric associations," said alderman of trade Etienne Noël.