André Stikkers is one of the last times behind the counter at Adr. Heinen. On Sunday, the 67-year-old owner and bookseller will stop working in the store where his career once started. “I put so much time and love into the store that I didn’t have time to read a book myself,” says André. “There is already a whole pile ready at home.”
When a customer hears that André is retiring, she asks in shock whether the 111-year-old bookshop will also disappear. “No Fortunately not. Heinen will continue to exist,” says André from behind the counter.
For years, Adr. Heinen a household name in Den Bosch. That was already the case when André applied at the age of 25. “At that time, the threshold to be allowed to work at a bookstore with so much prestige was even greater than it is now,” says André.
With some surprise André was hired in 1980 by Ad Heinen, family of the founder. “I was honored to be able to work at Heinen at that age. I wanted to pass on my love of books to others. Heinen gave me the opportunity to do that.”
“Choosing our offer is a kind of game.”
André started at Heinen in the department with textbooks. But soon it became more than that. One book after another was selected, ordered, unpacked and sold by André. Although the inhabitant of Den Bosch has been doing that work for 42 years at the same bookshop, he never gets bored.
“When I first started here, people traveled far less outside Europe. We had ten books about distant lands. We now have nine cupboards full.” That change is what makes the job so much fun, he says. “Society is changing and I have to continuously adapt our offer to that. It’s a kind of game.”
But after all these years, André still likes to help his customers. “I want customers to find that one book they’re looking for. And if they can’t find it, see another book they want. Then I’ve done my job as a book seller. I think it’s fantastic.”
“This is how we do it at Heinen.”
Because André, as a branch manager and later as the owner, was so busy with the store, he had no time to read books himself. Now that he’s retired, he finally has time for that again. “I’m really looking forward to that. I will often go to Heinen as a customer. Sniffing between the books in search of a good book.”
Despite André’s departure, the bookshop will not change. With a huge assortment, the creaking and worn steps and the small door for children. “I can retire with peace of mind. There are still two colleagues who have also worked with the Heinen family. They can say to the new owner: ‘This is how we do it at Heinen’.”