Shoemaker Boerhout-de Weert in Bussum ceases to exist because owner Ronald de Weert suffers from dementia. Ron was a beloved shoemaker for no less than 37 years and the shoemaker on the Huizerweg has been a household name in Bussum for 100 years. This weekend the store will open its doors for the last time.
With pain in the heart, Ron and Linda de Weert close the doors of their shoe repair shop Boerhout-de Weert. For a century, the whole of Gooi came to the store, where Gerard Boerhout was previously the owner and for the last four decades Ron and Linda de Weert. A place with a rich history. Sad news came last week: Ron suffers from dementia and that is why the decision was made to close the store.
Not enjoyable
In addition to dementia, Ron previously suffered from kidney cancer, kidney failure and received a TIA and a donor kidney, but his health never stopped him from working. Despite these setbacks, he always continued to work in the shoemaking business.
Ron’s health is now taking its toll. “Every day you lose your father little by little. I am already grieving for someone who is still there,” daughter Ginger said. There is no other option than to close the doors. The master shoemaker finds it a difficult choice: “I was not enjoying myself for the first two weeks.”
Nine thousand euros
To make as many memories as possible with the family, daughter Ginger has come up with a fundraising campaign. Ginger called on Facebook to donate to a holiday to give Ron his well-deserved farewell gift. Within no time she received a lot of responses and almost nine thousand euros have now been raised for a holiday for Ron and his wife Linda.
This is not the first time Ginger has helped Ronald. She previously ensured that her father received a kidney donor, also via a Facebook call. “It doesn’t feel like something I have to do, you just do it. If I can help them with something, I will,” Ginger says.