Stephanie (68) from Haarlem worked for a few weeks at Droste in the early 1970s. She still lives in the Harmenjansbuurt, near the former factory. “It was one of my first jobs. I went to work there during the summer holidays, because I wanted to buy a bike. We succeeded, but the work was quite a challenge. I was on the assembly line and it was slowly increased in pace. You know those octagonal boxes with the pastilles, I had to put a pillow on the chocolates and then put the lid on that box. “
Stephanie’s aunt was in service at Droste for much longer. “He worked there for fifty years. Aunt Annie always came up with a box full of goodies when it’s your birthday. And we always got a chocolate letter from Droste.”
Coins in your back pocket
“It was pretty strict,” laughs Stephanie. “This way you could buy coins for coffee or tea during the break. You had to keep those coins in the back pocket of your pants. The woman who was in charge of the conveyor belt took the coin out of your pocket shortly before the break and set the Beverage ready.
The Haarlem is less pleased with the working culture in those years. “A lot of women worked in production, I think I was one of the youngest. The men walked and from with big carts and they often fluted at us. That was annoying and that really couldn’t do that anymore.”
Icon in Haarlem
The chocolate went well with the young Stephanie. “I thought it was all very tasty, but after a few days you will lose that. Once a week you could buy chocolate chocolate at the exit of the factory at the exit of the factory. They had failed and they therefore cost little. Is a shame that Droste is disappearing now, it was really an icon. “
Text continues under the photo.