Excursion: NochMall

On the third day of our excursion, we stand in front of a department store in Berlin-Reinickendorf. There are still a few minutes until opening time, and we are not the only ones waiting. The store is called NochMall and has built a loyal customer base since opening four years ago. Above the entrance, the slogan reads: “Everything except new.” Next door, the first deliveries of the day arrive. Two in-house trucks are being unloaded, their contents sent via a ramp to the processing and storage areas inside the building. These items were collected at Berlin’s municipal recycling yards (BSR) in special NochMall containers, now re-entering the circular economy. At the same time, people arrive at the ramp, dropping off used but still functional items. NochMall also offers a pickup service to help fill its 2,600 square meters of retail space. Once inside, everything is inspected and sorted.
NochMall sees itself as a hub for circular economy initiatives. Among the 30,000 items neatly displayed under warm lighting—mainly clothing, household goods, and books—you’ll also find upcycled products in small batches. These include bath mats woven from old plastic and vinyl records repurposed into clocks. Electronic devices undergo in-house testing and come with a one-year warranty.
On the second floor, behind books and CDs, a spacious seating area is filled with tables and chairs. This is where the in-house café and restaurant serve cake and warm meals. Next door, an independently operated repair café hosts events and workshops on fixing and DIY projects. Everyone we meet at NochMall seems genuinely happy with their work. It feels like they are working together on something meaningful and unique.
By 2027, NochMall aims to break even with its 51 employees; otherwise, the BSR may withdraw funding. The company remains confident, positioning itself as a pioneering project. As they put it: “Every major city in Germany already has a second-hand department store of this size. Many come to Berlin to learn from us.