Elandsgracht Amsterdam

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.

Owner Rob left one gallery to spread his wings and start his own in 2007. His gallery, named simply and effectively after himself, specialises in modern jewellery. It is partly the result of the experience Rob had built up in his previous gallery and partly the realisation of turning what was already a hobby into a profession. He convinced some of the artists that he already represented to come with him, but had to re-establish himself  by doing the rounds to sign new names to his business. Thanks to his extensive network and his familiarity with the Rietveld Academy, and other such places, this did not take too long. To his surprise and joy, his name and reputation still attracts both the more established artists and the new generation of artists.

The Lindemans may rightly be monickered an entrepreneurial tribe. Dozens of family members are entrepreneurs, most of them in some way or form in the Albert Heijn concern. This giant supermarket chain allows people like Lindeman a lot of leeway to personalise their business, and so they did. Having started back in the day, that is in the latter half of the 19^th century, thankyouverymuch, as a wholesale grocer, on the corner of Hazenstraat and Elandsgracht, the Lindeman family and their branch of Albert Heijn breathe new life into the somewhat dusty cliche of being the pillar of the community on the gracht. Something not lightly earned, and something they themselves would be proud of, although their modesty would strongly reject any such praise. Its sucess is such that family members help out daily, and that sometimes even includes manning a cash register, or assisting a new kid with re-stocking (another effect of its popularity, re-stocking appears to take place around the clock, every day of every week).

Johnny, the owner of the coffeeshop that bears his name, started his career peddling fresh vegetables on markets around the city.  Until he decided one day to go into business for himself. Fast forward twenty-odd years and this place still exists. The interior is small but tidy and organised and a faint, sweet smell lingers in the air. It has a separate, closed off smoking area, installed to comply with the latest regulations on smoking in public places. Johnny found the location at Elandsgracht 3 through the same grapevine Marvin Gaye used to sing about. Once he obtained the necessary permits, Johnny opened its doors and after a short warm up period, the business started doing well. Celebrities like the Ramones and several American movie actors have walked through the doors here, looking for a Dutch treat, shall we say. The closure of numerous coffeeshops around Amsterdam obviously did not hurt Johnny and despite ever stricter regulations, this is one coffeeshop that isn’t about to roll over and play dead.

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.

Sinds 1965, this quiet little business has made quite a name for itself. Over the years it has shown something that is not as common in small business anymore as one would expect or hope: it is reliable. Plain and simple. It cleans your clothes, carpets or even leather and suede items and will even collect and deliver. It has moved to Hazenstraat 65 early in 2012, but considering its track record and, well, the name, we still consider it part of the Elandsgracht. The laundromat’s interior may occasionally look like fifteen closets full of clothes exploded, there is definitely a method to the apparent madness. The owner, Coert, works almost round the clock and does it with a smile and a kind word for everyone who walks into his place. His trusted two assistants are equally dependable and are always in for a quick joke or anecdote about the neighbourhood. Being made to feel like a regular and walking home with a mountain of fresh clean clothes never fails to put a smile on your face.

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.

If there is one place in Amsterdam that disproves the old Dutch adage that you have to travel a ways for the best things in life, it is the houseboat-museum, situated alongside the Prinsengracht, at the very beginning of the Elandsgracht. The Hendrika Maria, as the boat is called, is situated in this beautiful location since 1997.  Owner Vincent van Loon got the idea for the museum when he used to live in a houseboat himself and dealt with dozens of curious glances at his home on the water every day. His idea was golden, and visitors numbers have exceeded all Vincent’s expectations. The boat that houses the museum dates back to 1914. It even spent some time at the bottom of the canal during World War Two, to keep the occupying forces from getting their hands on it. The museum offers a unique perspective on living on the water as well as, through the small windows, on the Elandsgracht and the Prinsengracht.

Unlike some of the tanning salon’s most avid visitors, this place is rather inconspicuous and that works just fine for owner Coby. For a solid 25 years, this tanning place, has built its reputation, slowly expanding its services over the years, becoming more and more of a full blown beauty salon. The salon moved to a great new place on nr. 101, where it uses every square centimeter for its impressive array of sunbeds, wood panelled cabins and reclining massage chairs. The place offers handy frequent visitor cards at special rates. Not that it really needs to lure customers in. Once you’ve been once, odds are considerable that you will be back for more.

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.