The flag can be raised at shoemaker Karwan Saleh in Groningen. He has been released from the rental property on the Vismarkt where Iris Galerie will soon be located. “Finally I don’t have any stress anymore.”
The shoe and key making shop at the Vismarkt was opened for the last time on Wednesday. Then Saleh and his employee Murat remove the stock and machines from the building. He moves them to his shoe and key making shop in Helpman.
“I am very happy that I can now focus on my business in Helpman. Murat will also work there. This ensures peace. I am happy that a new tenant has finally been found,” says Saleh.
Rent of 4786 euros per month
He had been in trouble for some time. He was afraid of going bankrupt because of the rent of 4,786 euros that he had to pay monthly for the building of about 30 square meters next to Perry Sport. He was still tied to the lease for the next eight years.
A PVV councilor in Groningen took issue with the fate of the Iraqi shoemaker and questioned the high rent.
Real estate millionaire promises to help shoemaker
The owner of the building is real estate millionaire Harry Hilders, who has an estimated fortune of 1.2 billion euros and is ranked 40th in the Quote 500. He heard about the shoemaker’s dire situation and promised to help him.
He initially gave him a discount of 700 euros per month on the rent and said he would do his best to find a new tenant. Saleh saw little point in this, because he had experienced that everyone interested in the building ran away when they heard the rent.
According to Hilders, Iris Galerie will move into the building. There people have their iris – or that of a loved one – photographed and printed in large format, like a work of art. The Parisian concept is a success in various cities in the Netherlands.
Hilders says he is happy for Saleh. “By giving him a rent discount, he was able to continue for the time being. In the meantime, we have been looking hard for a new tenant. I said I would resolve this issue and now I have. Saleh has been released from his obligation. We terminate the agreement.”