Spicy TikTok chips, American fudge and sweets that you can’t get anywhere else in the Netherlands: candy shop Jamin is known for it. The branch in Zoetermeer was taken over a year and a half ago by Saskia (39) and her husband Henny (40). They breathe new life into the store. “It will be even bigger and more beautiful.”
Who doesn’t know the Jamin candy store? For almost 140 years it has been the store for those with a sweet tooth, but also for those who love salty snacks. “There is often something new added to the range,” says Saskia. “International sweets in particular are doing well. We go along with the trends. For example, the spicy Takis chips are now very popular. That comes up a lot on TikTok. This makes people curious and they come to Jamin to get a bag.”
International sweets
Adding such a new snack to the range is quite a process according to Saskia. “The head office then finds out whether the candy is approved for the Dutch market. Some things that you can sell in America are prohibited here. Or just very difficult to obtain. There are often types of sweets in the store here that you can’t buy anywhere else in the Netherlands or even in Europe.”
Saskia and Henny opened their first Jamin branch in Leidschendam 16 years ago. She previously worked in healthcare. How do you decide to open a candy store? “My husband always dreamed of having his own shop. We then came into contact with Jamin at a franchise fair. That immediately felt good. The conversations were very pleasant and the atmosphere in the company is nice.” Fortunately, the two also have a huge sweet tooth. “Henny is mainly into sweets and I love chocolate. You can wake me up for Jamin’s fudge.”
“Don’t want anything else”
When Henny opened the branch in Leidschendam, Saskia helped manage the staff. She already had experience with this from healthcare. “I actually enjoyed doing it so much that it didn’t take long before we were opening the shop together,” she says. The couple always said that when the store nearby in Zoetermeer became available, they wanted to take it over. “When that happened a year and a half ago, we were quick to act. I wouldn’t want anything else. It’s so much fun to do this together!”
The largest in the country
The two are very happy with the location in the Stadshart. “The Passage is going through a major overhaul. There is currently a lot of empty space, but if all goes well it will soon become a vibrant shopping center,” says Saskia. “We have already seen the plans: that will be something! Later we will also renovate the store ourselves and we will have much more space. Then we are ready to make our branch the largest and most beautiful Jamin in the country.”
City center Zoetermeer
In City center Zoetermeer there is a lot of choice of shops. Whether you are looking for a new television, beautiful clothes or an original gift: you have come to the right place in Stadshart Zoetermeer.
The range of shops varies from small specialty stores to large department stores, such as Mediamarkt, Albert Heijn XL, TK Maxx, JD Sports, Douglas, Rituals, H&M, Mango, Just Brands, Foot Locker, Albert Nolten, Primark and the Douwe Egberts Café. Stadshart Zoetermeer also offers a wide choice of various dining and entertainment options. Have you worked up an appetite from shopping? Or would you like to take a break with a drink? You will find a place to settle down in the City Heart!
This article is sponsored by Retailers Association Promotion Stadshart Zoetermeer.