Yesterday at 8:00 PM • Modified yesterday at 10:14 PM
“Thank you very much for everything and enjoy your retirement,” says one of the regular customers to Arthur and Helene Hoyer of Cafetaria De Dageraad in Den Bosch. After 32 years, the two are quitting and that will take some getting used to for both the chip makers and the customers of the business.
While Arthur is frying the last fries, Helene sprays a generous layer of curry over a hogweed. After all these years, the two are still a well-oiled machine, although it has started to squeak and creak a bit recently. “We are both very tired,” Arthur admits honestly. “I am 69 myself and could have actually retired two years ago. We are in great need of it.”
Yet it feels very mixed for both Arthur and Helene. “Today is a day with laughter and tears,” says Helene, as she has to shed a tear. “It’s difficult, but it’s also very nice that so many people are coming by today. Everyone says they’re so sorry that we’re stopping. They don’t know where to go now. But it will end eventually.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we can expect a lot of tears.”
All those years there was little time for the two’s hobbies. That is now changing. “I go fishing, boating, cycling and to football,” says Arthur. He used to play football for Willem II, PSV and Den Bosch and will go to matches more often in the near future. Helene looks forward to time with her five grandchildren. “The eldest is nineteen and he really wants me to go to town. We go to the playground with the younger children,” she says.
Arthur and Helene’s family have big plans for the last day. Although the two actually find it difficult to deal with that. “I prefer to be in control, but that wasn’t allowed this time,” laughs Arthur. “I don’t know what will happen, but we can expect a lot of tears. It is also very emotional. I will miss the customers very much. My wife too, because she is a soft egg.”
“I think it’s very sad that they are quitting, but they are also entitled to a pension.”
One of the regular customers comes to get a special dish and a frikandel for the last time. “This is a household name in Den Bosch. I live next to Rosmalen, but I always come here to get fries. I think it’s very sad that they are closing, but they are also entitled to a pension.” Closer people also find it a shame that cafeteria De Dageraad is closing. “It will be a big change for the neighborhood,” says the neighbor from the cafeteria. “You can just hang out here and have a cup of coffee at the door, but that will no longer be possible.”
The last busy day ends with a party and then Arthur and Helene can enjoy their retirement. The couple is not saying goodbye to the chip shop completely, because they are going to live in the cafeteria. “I have to renovate for six weeks first,” laughs Arthur. “This was the living room of the neighborhood for 32 years and now it is becoming our own living room. We find that very special.”
