Even though we can’t support the local enterprises from our office (meaning, lots of coffee, green juices and croissants from Hopper), we are still trying to support the companies around us from home. Especially in this time it is important to try and support the local entrepreneurs. So many creative solutions are popping up! Inspired by the Volkskrant, among others, we decided to put some of our favourite local entrepreneurs in the spotlights.
Rinske
My local heroes get me my daily dose of cafeine, healthy food and training. What would I be without them? That’s why it was impossibly difficult for me to choose just one – so they became two!
Yogaground
“Talking about fast and creative decisions: when the lockdown started on the 15th of March at 18:00, Yogaground was up early the next morning with a yoga lesson on Instagram Live – as one of the very first few, I bet. Ever since Ferdinand, Jorden and their team make sure nobody needs to miss out on a single day of yoga. Yogaground offers its community two lessons a day, which then stay available for a week on Youtube. And besides all the organizational and video production work, they will soon also start crowdfunding to strengthen and expand their community.”
The Harvest – Rotterdam
“My neighbour Wessel started his restaurant De Harvest at the same time that I moved to the Proveniersstraat. At least once a week I pop in with my own plate to get the most delicious and healthy food. Of course, his restaurant had to close from 6 April, but he quickly picked up with take away. Wessel’s landlord gave him a month’s rent reduction (hero!) which again inspired me to write a column for gebiedsontwikkeling.nu. It is precisely these local entrepreneurs who give colour to our city. Value our local heroes!”
Annemiek
Sports Fit Lab – Rotterdam
“The doors of Sports Fit Lab in Rotterdam had only been open for 6 weeks, when they had to close again at the beginning of March. A huge disappointment for Murat and Kelly, whose gym offers a variety of options for strength training, cardio and group lessons like yoga and Pilates. Time for a new approach: their social media channels quickly filled with home workouts and they offer training in a corona-proof way. Meaning, personal training for a reduced price and training sessions based on reservations, during which you’ll have all the space almost completely for yourself.”
Claudia
Fred’s Kitchen – Amsterdam
“My local favorite is Fred’s Kitchen. They are the first restaurant that settled in the ground floor of ‘De Werf’. They are not a big chain, but an Asian shared dining concept owned by Roy, a local from just a few km’s away in Landsmeer. Even now they stay involved with our neighborhood by keeping their terrace outdoors, so me and my neighbors can still enjoy some sunny social distance. Nowadays they deliver their delicious sushi at home. Or, in my case, serve a pick-up downstairs.”
Thomas
De Burgemeester – Rotterdam
“My local favorite is “De Burgemeester”. This young bar owned by Anne Satter and Marijn Roon and is already a staple in my neighborhood. They created a place for people to come as they are; gather with friends, play games or read a book. During these times they decided to bring this feeling home, with a weekend box not only with a beer tasting and bites, but also with a custom puzzle made by their own designer. This way I can still spend my Sundays with De Burgemeester.”
Gwenda
Mica Coffeebar – Haarlem
“After having to close up due to the intelligent lock down, Sophie and Annemarie realized they didn’t want to sit at home and do nothing. So: they simply changed their café Mica Coffeebar in Haarlem into coffee take away heaven. Lucky me! Now the long working days at home can be interrupted by a pleasant coffee break. And yes, sometimes with their delicious vegan banana bread (ssst). The two sisters are happy they can still work, and fortunately lots of customers come by to grab a takeaway coffee – while keeping the 1.5 meter distance of course.”
Anke
ROTT. brouwers – Rotterdam
“These are crazy times, also for ROTT. Brouwers. Lisette and her boyfriend went on holiday to New Zealand before the crisis. Two weeks later than planned they returned with a repatriation flight. Now, just like most of us, they work as much as possible from home and they also try to keep their local brewery running. The pubs are closed and the orders are less. Liquor stores are more careful with ordering and some of the beer festivals have been already cancelled. Therefore they had to get creative and make sure that the consumer can order directly. And that is what they did! Delicious Beer brought to your doorstep.
Especially for everyone who wants to enjoy these super tasty beers at home, sitting in the window, on the balcony or in the garden: check ROTT.mix box. Be surprised, compose your own and support these locals!”
Pascalle
Markt 010 – Rotterdam
“I do miss the chaos of the market in Rotterdam at times: the people, the many stalls and entrepreneurs trying to sell their products. This is all impossible in times of the new corona crisis. Quite a huge blow for those entrepreneurs who have always relied on selling their products on the market. Fortunately they have combined forces and have started working together with three friends Jort, Jorrit and Quinten, who help them in keeping the market open for business. Markt010 makes sure you can still go to the market each Tuesday and Saturday just like you’re used to – but then just a bit different than what you’re used to. Meaning I can still get to eat my vegetables while between working from home!”
Have we missed your favourite place? Then let us know here!
These weeks we’ve been sharing a lot of our favourite things. In case you’re searching for inspiring ways to spend your time, take a look at our list of podcasts and the books we can’t stop talking about.