Elandsgracht Amsterdam

Owner Stef Comman is a third generation bicycle repairman. Both his grandfather and his father were in the business before him. As a teenager, Stef never really fancied a career fixing bikes. Until he started lending a hand in the shop on busy days.  His dad, not about to have his own son as his apprentice, sent Stef to some of the biggest names in the business to learn the trade. Once he was qualified, Stef went to work for his dad, and now, nearly twenty years on, Stef runs the place, with a passion and interest he’d not imagined possible as a young lad. He welcomes his customers with a joke and friendly banter, but as everyone who steps into his shop soon finds out, the advice he offers is never less than sound, honest and professional. Talk to him for more than five minutes and it becomes clear this man loves what he does. And as he witnessed the biggest brands in the business starting to use inferior materials on their bikes in a desparate attempt to survive the economic downturn, he grew frustrated but also determined not to go along with that. So he started a brand in his own name: superior materials, amazing design, and best of all: manufactured locally, Stef Comman has virtually guaranteed his name and survival. He will not bike gently into the night, that much is certain.

Who does not love a place where you can catch up with that neighbour you haven’t spoken in a while, in a shop that not only looks amazing, but smells irresistable? If you answer that with a clever “I”, you obviously have not vistited Arnold Cornelis at number 78. And we in turn will strongly encourage you to do so. Because  it really is a treat. Take a load off, have some coffee to go with one of their mouthwatering treats and your day just got even better than it already was. Joke is one of the driving forces behind the store and can be found behind the counter every day, with an easy smile and a pleasant demeanor. 28 Years and counting has she done this. It’s the regulars that keep coming back for more that has her still loving her work. Arnold Cornelis make and bake all their goods at the very first location they opened: on the van Baerlestraat. So do not expect artificial ingredients, wrapped in mass-produced cakes and tartlets. Do expect the sweet taste of fine patisserie, made with pride.

Ask a random Amsterdammer about Edison and eight out of ten will say” Isn’t that the carpet place?” That is one of the first things current owner Henriette says when asked about her business. It is a bold statement, but anecdotes abound that support its accuracy. Like the one where a previous owner in the 1980s did some DIY product placement by displaying the company logo for all to see during the filming of the Dutch cult classic “Amsterdamned”. Several trams also carried life size logo’s of the business as they cruised through the entire capital for weeks on end. Despite Henriette not knowing exactly how long Edison has been in business, she herself is considered one of the guiding forces behind the scenes. Of course, as an owner for the past six years, but she was an employee for no less than two decades prior to that. A conservative estimate by Henriette indicates Edison was
already around in the early 1970s, although back then it conducted its business on the Rozengracht. The diversity in its inventory of home furnishings, and the ability to adapt to changing trends and changing customer behaviour have set Edison apart all these years and have built its enduring reputation. The Elandsgracht would not be the same without Edison. Enough said.

Antique center Amsterdam, formerly known as ‘the Looier’ in an old garage. The space is enormous though it is packed to the rafters with antiques,  knickknacks, collectible items and rarities. Display cabinets guide you through a maze stalls and more displays, each owned by another dealer, collector or enthusiast. The center underwent a transformation “to dust it off and bring it into the 21^st century”, as the owner put it. Arnout and his wife Emrys ter Haak took over the business and decided to  overhaul the place, but keep it accessible to tourists, students and serious art lovers and collectors alike. Whether you come in looking to spend 5000 Euro or 5, there’s something here for everyone. The vast collection of items ranges from the bizarre to the funny and from the delicate to the breathtakingly beautiful. It is absolutely fascinating walking through this place and will make you wonder why you didn’t comer here sooner – or more often.

Engels Verf is another prime example of an  entrepreneur who has staked his claim on the Elandsgracht almost fourty years ago and has weathered recessions, extensive road works, and more discerning customers. This business focuses strictly on paint and its direct accessories – a rarity in the industry as owner Rolf points out. Especially in these days were businesses are often forced to diversify. Rolf, sole remaining  member of his family in the business after his father handed over the reins, regularly attends workshops and courses to keep his knowledge up to date. His personnel is strongly encouraged to do likewise. Seeing as how each and everyone of them has been with the company for seven years or longer, that is not considered a downside. Quite to the contrary – Engels Verf is a business known as an expert and a specialist. To earn that is one thing. To hold on to those credentials is quite another. The store has been refurbished, to see the business through the next 40 years.

Bel Ami frame makers and all-round art specialistsis unmistakeable by its sheer appearance. You are, by judging the store by it’s storefront, invited to step in and you won’t be disappointed. With its decorative, elegant wooden front panelling Bel Ami has become a very familiar face on the gracht. If anything, that description is almost more a cliche than a surprise, seeing as how the store celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2012. Loved by its regulars, highly spoken of by connaisseurs, its reputation belies the store’s humble interior. Run with a profound love for, and interest in, art, especially art that can be hung on walls. Owner Marieke and her dedicated staff not only frame your prized images, they also restore works of art to their original glory. That takes patience, incredible eye for detail and a custom approach for each painting they work on. It is this specialised, tailored approach that has cemented its reputation.

You have your restaurants, your clothing stores, your dry cleaning businesses, you name it, it is all to be found on the Elandsgracht. And then there is Baobab. A shop that is truly in a league of its own. An oasis in the lively gracht that hasn’t been a “gracht” since about a century. Step inside this place and it’s like you stepped into a Bedouin’s tent in a sandy place that still knows the meaning of summer. Owner Thea started her business in the 1960s, as a hobby. She and Baobab have grown up together on the Elandsgracht, as have her customers who first walked in as twenty somethings and have kept coming back as they became parents or even grandparents. Handmade jewellery, crafted ornaments, decorations, pieces of art, pottery, this store carries it all, from all the different continents. And there’s even more in the basement, which one imagines is what Ali Baba’s treasure cove may have looked like. By all means come in for a visit. Just make sure to take your time to marvel at all the amazing artifacts on offer.

Smit-Cruyff is the sportswear store of Amsterdam. First of all there is the obvious connection to one of the world’s legends of football (Johan Cruyff’s brother was a co-founder). This store opened its doors in 1940 and, as a result, has beaten a world war, recessions, depressions, you name it, only to come out victorious. What’s in a name, as a famous bard once wrote. Besides this, or maybe because of its spreading reputation, global sports brands like Puma and Nike were launched in The Netherlands via this very store. Yes, you read that right. The two current owners, Guno Reingoud and Robbie van der Straeten are now both in their fifties, and took over the business in 1998. These guys know every nook and cranny of the store, since they were working here  as assistants when they were teens, admiring the action photo’s and newspaper clippings that decorate the wall when they were teenagers. Needless to say this store holds a special place in their hearts, as does the gracht they are located on. For many Amsterdammers, Elandsgracht is synonymous with Smit-Cruyff. Here is to the next 70 years.

This store that takes its name from the French word for sneakers, opened in April 2012. It focuses on sneakers. Not just trainers, the ones we wear on weekends or holidays preferably until they disintegrate with wear. We’re talking about proper sneakers, from high end brands, and acceptable footwear in most of Amsterdam’s hotspots and on the occasional catwalk. Aside from the familiar brands, this new specialised shoe store also carries the lesser known, more exclusive brands. As a nice extra touch, it also has room for some of the local brands such as Locals AMS. The store interior is exciting in a toned down way, clean and beautiful but not exaggerated or pretentious. Baskèts is owned by Jeffrey Sluijzer and Daan de Greef.

In just seven years, Jurgen Ambrosius and his wife have found a home on the Elandsgracht for their toy store ‘De Kleine Eland’. In turn, the Elandsgracht has embraced this shop with its old-school toys, dolls, puzzles, games and any other classic toys you could think of.  With a primary school  nearby, their target market is just around the corner. The couple started their toy store in 1993, so 2013 marks quite the milestone.Through a coincidental meeting with the owner of the building, they kept in touch and were able to take his place in 2006 and open their doors to what must look like a true paradise for any kid that is not glued to an iPod, mobile phone or other electronic gadget. Even adults have a field day here, as it will doubtlessly take them back to their childhood with a lot of the toys on display. Expect to leave the shop with a big smile, and most likely some “ new, old toys”.