One last meal of the day, a festive auction and then it’s really over. Het Nieuwe Bonte Paard in Abbekerk is preparing for the final agreement and will close its doors after tomorrow evening. “Very intense,” says Marjolein Verhart.
A sad observation: after this weekend, Abbekerk will no longer have a café/restaurant. A development that can be felt in the West Frisian village. Homes are being built on the site of the Nieuwe Bonte Paard. The plan was for the Nieuwe Bonte Paard to make a new start in the renovated village hall, but due to the shaky financial situation of the municipality of Medemblik, those plans were canceled.
And so Het Nieuwe Bonte Paard closes. And that involves the necessary emotions. Marjolein, who runs the cafe/restaurant together with her sister Laura, sighs again. “It’s very intense. A lot is coming at us and it’s a very busy period. Of course we’ve known for a while that it’s going to stop, but now it’s really almost time. I notice that it hits me now and then .”
In recent weeks, a farewell program has been performed, with themed evenings. “Many people want to come by one more time and we really like that. Last week we had a party and you also saw groups of friends from the past back in Abbekerk. It was a kind of reunion.”
Saturday evening follows the apotheosis, the final chord. During an auction it is possible to bid on the complete inventory of the Bonte Paard. In total 309 objects come under the hammer of the auctioneer present. Think of bar stools, tables, billboards, but also on the kitchen and a piece of bar – which is sawn into four pieces – can be offered.
Wine glasses
A popular object is the round table. “There are already at least four people who want it. I think many visitors have fond memories of it.” Also popular: the wine glasses, engraved with the logo of the New Bonte Horse. “But there are not many left, because quite a few have already been taken. Stolen, yes. Just like a painting that hung on the wall. Too bad.”
And then there are the personal items. Like the stuff that reminds of regular guests. Such as the leather sandals from ‘Jan Lullek’, the boots from ‘Grote Piet’ or the orange football boots from Tom van der Linden. “At the 1990 World Cup, the Netherlands lost to Germany, so they were eliminated. ‘I don’t want that anymore’, Tom said in his disappointment. After that they always had a nice spot in the café,” Marjolein explains. “No, I don’t think it has been bid on yet. Perhaps nice for family to have.”
Goodwill
The proceeds of the auction go to the Verhart sisters. “We are missing an amount for goodwill and inventory, so we can use this.” After Sunday’s staff party, Het Nieuwe Bonte Paard will continue to be cleaned up. The items that remain after Saturday’s auction will be displayed in December in the old liquor store.
After the weekend it’s really over for the New Bonte Horse. Laura will soon start another job, Marjolein will first go abroad for a few months. “But first we’re going to make it a nice evening.”