A sign with the announcement ‘Here comes a coffee shop’ on an empty building in the Koningsoord shopping center causes surprise in Berkel-Enschot. After severe protests, it was decided a year and a half ago that there would be no coffee shop in the village. Now there is still an announcement. But the local residents can breathe relieved, you can’t score a gram of weed yet.
Many passers -by look surprised when they read the sign. But then laughter follows. Because under the announcement of a coffee shop says ‘but with real coffee’.
The promotion comes from Claire van Turenhout from Berkel-Enschot. She had been dreaming of her own coffee bar for years. “I lived in Australia and in Africa. There is really a coffee culture there and I thought it would be great to get that to our village. There was no coffee bar here in the shopping center.”
“I have to do something funny with that.”
Yet her plan did not seem to be able to continue. The last square meters with a catering license were forgiven two years ago at a coffee shop. But the local residents were not happy with that. Hundreds of people protested and a petition was started against the arrival of the coffee shop. In the end, Mayor Weterings decided to find another place. Claire then saw her chance. “I immediately thought, I want that permit. And I have to do something funny with that.”
“I’ve had dozens of responses.”
When Claire tapped the windows of the case and hung the notes, many passers -by remained surprised. “After they read it correctly, they happily laughed. And I also had many nice reactions on Instagram and Facebook.”
Claire is now hard at work for her Zaak Zuid. ready for the opening. “It will be a coffee bar where we also serve lunch, cake and cake. But you can also buy clothing, accessories and gift items.” The doors will open at the end of August. And thanks to her playful action, no one will miss that. “Everyone now knows that I’m there,” Claire concludes laughing.
