Café ‘t Keerpunt in Spijkerboor will celebrate a special anniversary in 2025: the café has existed for no less than 275 years. This not only makes it the oldest existing café in Drenthe, but also a historical and cultural icon for the region.
Yesterday, the anniversary year kicked off with a festive opening, during which an age-old tradition, the “doll sip”, was revived.
The story of Café ‘t Keerpunt began in 1749, when Willem Greveling, the lock keeper, originally started the café as a resting point for skippers sailing the Hunze. Greveling occasionally secretly sold alcohol, and thought that this could be done on a larger scale. And then he started the inn. “The name ‘Turning Point’ refers to the turning basin nearby, where the ships had to turn before continuing their journey,” says Ivo Dijkema, the current owner of the café.
The café has had various functions over the years. Around 1900 it was even transformed into ‘Hotel Spijkerboor’ and offered travelers, carriages and horses a place to rest. However, over time the hotel area changed and the café remained an important part of village life. Today, ‘t Keerpunt is not only a meeting place for villagers, but also a popular location for music and events.
‘t Keerpunt has also been a music café for 25 years. Dijkema has given the café’s role as a music center a major place: “We are proud of what we have built here, from a small village café to a place where music is central,” says Dijkema.
In recent years, many music genres have emerged, from blues to Americana. “We want to continue to bring music, so that there is always something to do for our guests. It is important that we are not just a café, but a cultural place where people feel welcome.”
Dijkema takes over the café from his father and looks to the future with great enthusiasm. “I want this cafe to continue for at least another 25 years,” he says. “We will do everything we can to modernize the café, but it will always remain a place for the village community.” He emphasizes the importance of the village café in the region: “For many people, the café is the place where they meet. Whether it concerns a cyclist who makes a stopover, or a local resident who comes to have a chat. The value of such a meeting place cannot be underestimated.”
‘t Keerpunt has played a central role in the social life of the village for many years. The café is an important place to rest and catch up, not only for villagers, but also for tourists, such as cyclists and canoeists sailing down the Hunze.
Although the café has been around for almost three centuries, there are also plans for the distant future. Dijkema wants to further strengthen the café as a meeting place and is even considering offering rooms in the future for guests who come from far away. “We want to keep the café relevant in the future and perhaps celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2050,” he says.
The fourth Dijkema generation is in charge, but it is not yet known who will take over the café in the future. “That is a question for the future, but we hope that the café will remain in the family,” says Dijkema. “What is important is that the café continues to connect generations to come with the rich history of this beautiful village.”
Café Het Keerpunt has been through a lot in 275 years, but remains an important part of the community in Spijkerboer. With a rich history, a vibrant present and many plans for the future, the café remains a place where people can meet, enjoy music and experience the tradition of hospitality. “The village café is still of great importance to Spijkerboor,” says the innkeeper. “We want to continue that in the future.”