Trade and Commerce - The Bornheim Commercial Area

Craftsmanship in Bornheim was still very traditional before the two World Wars. With the construction of the railway line Landau–Germersheim in 1872 and the advancing industrialization, completely new sources of income opened up for the people of Bornheim.

Another employment opportunity arose through the settlement of the Hornbach company. Since Landau did not offer the sewage treatment plant builder Hornbach any space for expansion, the company negotiated with the municipality of Bornheim in 1953 and was able to purchase 4 hectares of land south of the railway line at a low price, with the condition that jobs should be given primarily to residents of Bornheim. This was a win–win situation for both sides, the effects of which continue to this day.

Through this expansion, Hornbach became the largest specialized plant for domestic sewage treatment systems in Germany. After the relocation of operations to Hagenbach, the first DIY store with a garden center was opened in Bornheim in 1968. At that time, this was a novelty in Germany and in Europe. The first drive-in facility was also introduced at Hornbach in 2003.

Today, Hornbach Baumarkt AG operates 176 DIY and garden stores in nine European countries. As the company’s headquarters is still located in Bornheim, the financial situation of the municipality has improved considerably. Many municipal projects have been realized as a result. These include the kindergarten and playgrounds, the community center, the fire brigade, the Saubrunnen, and other works of art in the streets of Bornheim. Support for clubs and social institutions would also not be possible without these steady revenues. Many residents of Bornheim benefit from this development through stable and local employment opportunities.

To this day, a commercial area with many different retailers and service providers has developed around the “magnet” Hornbach. In the Hornbach Center HZB, there are shops for everyday needs, such as grocery stores, drugstores, clothing shops, shoe stores, and children’s toys. A pharmacy completes the offer.

Thus, the decision of the municipal council at that time, under Mayor Ernst Acuntius, has proven to be absolutely right. Landau would certainly decide differently today.