It seems appropriate for a fish restaurant to be located close to the water, but it is not the intention that the water of the Markermeer comes as close to restaurant De Koperen Vis in Monnickendam. NH reporter Sjoerd Hilarius took a look.
NH reporter Sjoerd Hilarius stood on the quay in Monnickendam this morning wearing waterproof shoes, and that footwear was not an unnecessary luxury. Looking out over the Markermeer, he sees how the water is still very high.
“The sandbags are there and the water is not yet touching the sandbags. It could be a bit lower now or it could be even higher.” With a possible peak in the high water coming, it will also be exciting for the Monnickendam restaurant De Koperen Vis, which is located on Havenstraat close to the lake.
According to Sjoerd, the restaurant is ‘almost in the water’. The company therefore not only has to deal with the extreme high water, but also with less obvious consequences.
Disaster tourism
“Yesterday was quite disaster tourism anyway,” says Denise from De Koperen Vis, where people sat on the terrace yesterday despite – or precisely because of – the extreme water level.
Although the restaurant is used to high water levels, the recent flooding is extreme even for them. “It’s never been like this before, it’s definitely beyond the pale.”
Not easily scared
The pilings are all that is left of the dock and boats in the water appear to float on the sidewalk. Yet De Koperen Vis is not concerned about the restaurant or the wooden floor in it. “We have to have a very high tide before the water reaches the restaurant,” says Denise. “We don’t get scared easily anymore.”
Various catering establishments in the region have had to close their doors due to the nuisance, something Denise finds terrible. “That’s terrible, they just have to close, it’s not fun: not at all.”
Glass half full
Customers still know where to find De Koperen Vis, but some call in advance to see if they are still open. Despite the peak that is predicted According to Denise, the glass is half full. “I don’t believe it will get that far and high. Yesterday afternoon the water hit the sandbags, but now… No, I’m not that scared.”