From the cash register to the bakery and cleaning: Antoinette Brouwers has almost finished the Albert Heijn in more than 49 years. The 65-year-old Antoinette had her very last working day at the Albert Heijn in Oudenbosch on Friday. But she will probably never really say goodbye: “I’ll come by again tomorrow. Yes, for groceries then!”, she laughs.
Regular customer Adje Salih will miss Antoinette and the conversations at the cash register. “I don’t like society very much anymore. Women like Antoinette make the difference. They are always nice and open.”
“I’ve never worked in the vegetable department alone.”
Over the past 49 years, Antoinette has made herself indispensable. She is known as a go-getter who sees everything and can be a little strict at times. “I once heard from a young colleague that I am very sharp. That I see everything and immediately pick it up. That comes naturally in all those years.” Antoinette spent a lot of time behind the cash register, standing in the bakery, sorting empty bottles and helping with the cleaning. “I’ve never worked in the vegetable department alone.”
Antoinette started in 1972 in the old branch in Zevenbergen, on the corner of the Markt and the Zuidhaven. “At that time, the products still came in loose.” In the mid-eighties she started working in Middelharnis and with short intervals in the Nieuwe Markt and Tolberg branches in Roosendaal. Afterwards she worked in Zevenbergen for a few years and now she is finishing her career in Oudenbosch.
“Nice job Antoinette!”
And her customers? They will miss her. Antoinette is wished success one after the other as she walks through the halls. “Not all customers like it equally. They think it’s a shame that I’m leaving. That’s a bit of appreciation that you get in return”, she responds with a grin. Her colleagues also constantly address her. “Nice job Antoinette! Good luck!”, two stock fillers shout, after which they give her a ‘box’.
For Antoinette herself it takes some getting used to: a life without her work in the supermarket. “It will be pretty weird at first. I’m going to miss that human contact.” Yet it is good. “Youth can do it!” she laughs.