After almost 100 years, Schagen will soon be without a fish shop, Vishandel Schoehuijs will close down

The history of Vishandel Schoehuijs extends over three generations. “My grandfather started as a fish vendor. His father-in-law gave him a barrel of herring during the crisis years,” says owner Louis. His grandfather’s business was going well, after years of hard work he bought a car with a moving fishing kiosk. Until he opened the current fishmonger in 1961. Over the years and generations, the fish shop has become a household name in the area: “It’s always busy.”

For sale

The business is located in Louis and Heidi’s building and has been for sale for over a year, but the couple has not yet found a new owner. They want to keep the building to generate some income. It is not clear why the store has not yet been sold. It will not be due to the income, says Louis: “We have earned a good living from it, and I think it will remain that way. But people must want to continue to do the work. As a small self-employed person, you should of course not look at an hour. “It doesn’t end with a nine to five working day. You always have to go one step faster than others and you have to enjoy that.” Louis and Heidi’s children are not interested in the fish shop. “They should do what they like.”

Some fishmongering

Schagen has an extensive range of shops, from clothing stores to glasses stores. It is therefore striking that there is only one permanent fish shop. “To keep the range of shops somewhat complete, a fishmonger is really needed,” says Louis. He thinks it’s a shame that the business is really going to close: “It feels a bit like I’m letting my customers down. I would have loved to say: here is the new owner and he will take over from us. But you also have to make wise choices.” Louis and Heidi have both been operated on several times for varicose veins due to standing for long periods of time. Heidi also has a new hip. “We also want to finally reap the fruits of all our hard work.”