Second Life Concept Store "Wiederschön"
About this good practice
The Wiederschön Concept Store in Leipzig is bringing sustainability and circular economy to life in the heart of the city. As part of the federal programme "Zukunftsfähige Innenstädte und Zentren", Sustainable Inner Cities and Centers, the store transforms a formerly vacant space into a vibrant hub for conscious living. Led by the city cleaning department Leipzig, this flagship project promotes waste reduction, resource conservation, and sustainable consumption through practical, community-oriented solutions.
Wiederschön offers a curated mix of reused, refurbished, and low-impact goods. But it’s more than just a store—it’s a place to rethink habits, share knowledge, and inspire change. Its concept is built around three core themes: Reduce (secondhand goods and low-consumption products), Rethink (education on sustainability, energy efficiency, mindful consumption, food sharing), and Repair (upcycling and DIY workshops). These ideas come to life through collaborations with local craftspeople, artists, cultural groups, clubs, and associations. Activities include workshops, exhibitions, rentals, and sales.
The goal is to establish Wiederschön as a zero-waste hub in the city center—an inviting space where sustainability is both accessible and engaging. By extending the life of products and promoting new ways to consume, Wiederschön serves as a model for future-focused urban development and community-driven environmental action.
Resources needed
The project received ~ €660,000 in federal funding through the ZIZ programme as mentioned above. Store furnishings came largely from donations (e.g., University of Leipzig, local businesses). Implementation was supported by Leipzig Economic Development and Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig GmbH.
Evidence of success
Wiederschön was praised by the “Unsere Stadtimpulse” jury as a model project. Since May 2024, it has welcomed ~55,000 visitors, upcycled 982 kg of clothing, sold 41 large furniture items, hosted 9 workshops, and involved 11 local renters. It generated €116,200 in revenue in 2024. Cities like Magdeburg, Münster, Nürnberg, and Bremen visited to learn from the concept, confirming its wider relevance and transferability.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Wiederschön Concept Store is a pilot project in Leipzig and serves as a model for sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy. It offers lessons in circular economy implementation, community engagement, partnerships, vacant property revitalization, sustainable retail, education campaigns, zero-waste practices, multi-purpose community centers, mission-driven marketing, and impact measurement. It's a holistic example of integrating sustainability, circular economy, and community engagement into retail and community initiatives, providing valuable insights for addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.
Further information
Good practice owner
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