Solidarity among entrepreneurs keeps the small shopping area alive.
Colloquially, it is known as the 'end of Spoorstraat'. But for the shopkeepers on this stretch between Breewaterstraat and Koningstraat Sitting is nothing, end of story. "This is actually the beginning of the city," says Inge. Dekker and Mai-Lin van Dongen from Rejoez. Portrait of a special A part of the city center that is alive thanks to the solidarity of entrepreneurs.
stays.
It takes some searching to find a quiet moment to be able to Remy Dorotea speak. There is a constant stream of people at his recently opened store, Remy's Audio.
Solutions. Dorotea, who can draw on a wealth of experience at the former Retail chain BCC offers the crème de la crème of audio equipment. "Keep your
"If you like beautiful sound, then you are in the right place," he says.
Commotion
He is the newcomer in this colorful part of the Spoorstraat, where entrepreneurs Sylvain Wiersma ('Meneer de Jutter'), Ariënne Blokdijk ('Gewoon Andersz'),
Deborah Spiekman ('Touch by Nature') and Mai-Lin van Dongen with her mother Inge Dekker ('Rejoez') preceded him. The ladies, in particular, form a close-knit group. a small group that helps each other and develops initiatives together to liven things up in the street keep.
Remy Dorotea felt welcome from the start, he says. "That started already during the renovation of my shop. That is only stronger afterwards.
become.'' Meanwhile, he is closely involved in plans to the shopping street to make it livelier. During Juttersmarkten, the ladies put up striking
sets up displays and Remy Dorotea provides the musical atmosphere. "And we have "Even more ideas," says Ariënne Blokdijk. "We are thinking of fashion shows and
Caribbean music, to draw people here.’
Passers-by
park for loading and unloading, so you don't have to lug stuff around.’
His fellow entrepreneurs see the shop as a welcome addition to the offer. An offer that is already varied enough. Mr. de Jutter sells
quality men's fashion. Rejoez gives used objects and furniture a new, often surprising, second life. Gewoon Andersz offers fairtrade items and products made during the day activities, which are part of the shop. And in her shop Touch by Nature, Deborah Spiekman sells plus-size clothing.
Extremely busy
,"People from Nieuwediep often refer to this part as 'the end of Spoorstraat'.". But for tourists from Willemsoord, this is precisely where their tour through the
city center. Especially in the summer it is extremely busy and we sell very well'', says Inge Dekker.
Together with her daughter Mai-Lin, she started in 2016 in the former Bruna, on the corner of Spoorstraat-Breewaterstraat. "It was empty and we could from
Use the housing association temporarily. Just make the best of it, we were told. We did that. And successfully. From day one, we were up to speed. We
"We were scared out of our wits." Mai-Lin laughing: "I immediately got stressed out. I wanted stop again. We had to expand our product range like crazy.''’
Afterwards, Rejoez made various wanderings past vacant shop premises, to soon settle permanently at the place where it all began: the
So, the old Bruna, diagonally opposite Touch by Nature. Inge Dekker still has one there. still having fun with it. "In the beginning it was still a hobby…", she says. "But now it's starting
"to make it look like work after all," Mai-Lin adds.
Connectedness
The pair finds the interconnectedness between the entrepreneurs in this part. of the Spoorstraat is special. "We help each other, we come up with things together to to make it more fun here.'' Ariënne Blokdijk: ,,Recently I unexpectedly had to briefly home. Inge came and stood with me in the shop for a while so that I didn't have to close.’ Inge Dekker: "And at themed markets, we also do a lot together. If one donates..." hot chocolate, the other hands out soup. Together we make as
entrepreneurs something nice about this part of Spoorstraat.''’
RONALD DEN BOER
