Here and there the café will become more modern, but the spirit of the pub will never change, Bart adds. “The stories that our predecessors cherish. Harry Muskee who came by or our regular regulars. We are proud of that and it should remain that way.”
Fifth generation?
And a fifth generation taking over? Who knows, that may be the case with the Hofsteenge family. “We always skipped through the pub when we came home from school and our children do that now too. It would be nice if they took over,” says Frans.
They do not want to put pressure on their children, Bart responds. “Our parents didn’t do that either. You have to like it and you have to like it. But if it remains in the hands of the family later, then that is wonderful, of course.”
For the time being, the brothers are still in control. And 135 years? That will certainly still be celebrated. “Next week there will be a party for family and friends, so we will of course unpack.”
