It almost sounds like Harry and Alie managed to run their cafe carefree for all those 37 years, but the two have also had a hard time, the manager admits. “Take the corona time, it was not good. But it was no fun for anyone,” Harry looks back. He and his wife seized the opportunity to make the most of it in a different way. “We rediscovered Deurze and the surrounding area, where I was born, by walking for an hour and a half every day. Sitting at home is also nothing.”
They were also surprised that Harry and Alie managed to sell the cafe while the corona era is not so long behind us. “Quite a good achievement, I think”, grins Harry, who secretly lets slip that there was enough enthusiasm to take over the building. “I won’t name names, but there were also really well-known names. As it seems now, everything will be completed on May 16.”
Whether the new owners will leave the cafe as it is now is still a mystery for Harry and Alie. “We hear some rumors that the new guys want to leave it as it is, with some other stuff, but we’re not quite sure. I’ll soon be helping stories that don’t add up and everyone will say ‘that Harry is too’ It’s a nice quack.” But I do think that catering will remain in the building.”
And so Harry and Alie have had to make do with the memories they have of eatery and conference center De Aanleg. Despite the fact that the couple had known for a while that last Sunday was the last day that the cafe doors were open, it hit them for a while when the realization hit them.
“Around 10 am some cyclists first passed by and during the day more and more regular guests came by. That did me good and Alie too. They all consciously said goodbye to us, even with a speech and presents, very beautiful. I would like to thank everyone who has ever been to De Aanleg. I say everyone on purpose, because then I don’t forget anyone,” Harry laughs. “It’s time for other things now.”