After almost half a century of making spicy chicken sandwiches, Surinamese egg salad and healthy ones, it is time for Sonja and Henk Kwant to close the doors of their business in Weesperplein metro station. The 60 and 62-year-old Amsterdam residents think it’s a nice thing and the business, which was mainly known by students and people who worked around the station, has been taken over: “But the sandwiches will never be the same again,” regular customers think.
Sandwich shop – NH News
Sonja was seventeen when her father set up the business: “I immediately started working full-time, and Henk only came to help on weekends.” After she turned seventeen, she never let go of her passion and to this day she works in VOF Convenience to go. “I find it very difficult to stop, because if customers find it annoying, it becomes annoying for me too. It is so wonderful to see people coming back, especially for what we make.”
Staff is difficult to find in these times, and although the couple got through the corona pandemic, they now think it is time to call it a day. A new owner has now been found: “The Hapjeshoek at Waterlooplein metro station was interested,” says Henk. “And so we quickly came to the conclusion that this is the right solution. They continue to make sandwiches, in addition to their own core business Naturally.”
“We are regular customers here, the people make the business and they always have a chat”
The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) is located around Weesperplein. “These students come here several times a week,” says Henk. Sonja adds: “Many people who work at the municipality also come here every day between twelve and two.”
Unexpected news
And indeed, the crowds start around 12:30 PM. “I love it here, I often have chicken ketjap,” says a lady who gets her lunch from the shop twice a week. “At a certain point you know where to go for your sandwich and then you never leave.” But for some customers the closure comes unexpectedly, two guys from the HvA are speechless when they hear the news: “We are regular customers here. The people make the business and they are so friendly, they always have a chat .”
There was a time when several stores were in the couple’s subway station, but when they had children it became too much and they kept it to their own tent. By selling the business, Henk and Sonja are finally back above ground after all these years: “It will take some getting used to, it’s a completely different life if you don’t work in the station day in, day out,” says Sonja. But she knows what she will do now: “I’ll spend a lot of time with the grandchildren.”
Next Thursday is Sonja’s last day, she is looking forward to turning the key for the last time. Henk will help transfer the business to the new owner. A regular customer: “It’s a shame, but so deserved. Those two have worked so hard and deserve that rest.”
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