The largest customer base is therefore permanent and comes from the area. “You hear a lot of elderly people who come for fun and because it is nice and quiet here,” says Sanne. “But you also often hear that people come here because they want us to. We like to hear that.”
The national media attention has contributed to the store’s success. “I couldn’t keep up with it, it was so much,” says Ilse, who normally does not like to be in the spotlight. Sister Sanne adds: “But because we have been on TV throughout the country, you also hear many tourists who come from the south, for example, and are on holiday here, that they would still like to take a look.”
The sisters don’t have time to look back for a long time. The store takes a lot of time and their eyes are already fully focused on the future. An important step: Ilse has started butcher training. She gets help from the Hoogeveen brothers, who also owned the supermarket in the past.
While Ilse turns the sausages and packs roulades, Sanne learns more about management. “That’s quite strange,” she says, referring to the people her own age who she has to manage. “Step by step it gets better and better. If you do it more often, it becomes easier.”
“It’s hard work, but so far we’re still getting through every day,” says Ilse. Sanne adds: “You are constantly busy and you prefer to start on time. Everything you have already done before opening time is a bonus. That means long days, but also a lot of rest.”