Elandsgracht Amsterdam

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.

This Rob Peetoom hairdresser is one of fourteen nationwide. The imporium has turned the owner’s name into a widely recognised brand name. Fourteen years ago it opened the shop at number 68 where Vincent Langedijk became creative director. Vincent more or less grew up inside the company, having started out as a trainee at age 17.  The company operates by a certain philosophy: a hair cut works if it matches the customer’s personality. It is all about the individual and his or her uniqueness. Especially in this case, the phrase ‘everyone is unique’ is not a paradox, but something to strive for: highlight that uniqueness in everyone. Moreover, the brand has its own academy that trains its future hair stylists. They are then differentiated in Junior Stylists, Stylists and Senior Stylists, ranked according to experience and ability. They have their own price range, so you decide how much you want to spend on your haircut. It is the focus on what suits every individual, the details of each face and the classy environment that make a trip to Rob Peetoom quite an experience.

It would be too easy to write something cheesy about this store. So we won’t. Instead, please come and meet Edwin and Henk, the business partnership who successfully started, and still run; five Kaashuis Tromp shops all across Amsterdam. Atypically, and fortunately for customers, none of these feel like a franchise formula. The duo train their personnel on the job in all things cheese related, and regularly organise tastings so their staff know what they’re selling and can inform their customers accordingly. Advice and experience are key to these busy and passionate cheese connaisseurs. This is reflected in all aspects of the shop interior. It looks inviting, and gives you an appetite. Plus, all employees are both willing and able to advise you on their selection. That,  no matter what shop you’re in and no matter how often you’ve experienced it, always remains a pleasure. Who needs advertising with that kind of reputation?

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.

The Elandsgracht has been the proud host to the fifth and smallest establishment of the Vlaamsch Broodhuys since 2007, when the bigwigs of the company decided on this location because, well, it’s the Elandsgracht and its central location is very hard to beat. This shop may be small, but its attractive warm interior fits the size perfectly. It is all geared towzards a cosy place for coffee, brunch and lunch.  Its excellent sandwhiches and sweet, sweet pastries, made to order right in front of you,  will make any discerning customer’s mouth water. The bread is made from a company own recipe, top secret of course, and delivered to each of the Broodhuys’s shops around dawn every morning. Refreshingly it does not have wifi, so turn all your gadgets off and take your time when you step in here. One further interesting detail is that cash is not accepted here – you can only pay with debit cards.

HP Horlogerie is one of the true jewels on the Elandsgracht. Especially for the connoisseurs and fans of beautiful watches, who know what they’re after and are aware of how hard to find some watches can be. Leave it to founder and owner Henk to find such rarities. Back in 1990, having already spent several years plying his trade selling his goods at markets right here in Amsterdam, Henk decided to set up a shop in antique furniture. As the space at Elandsgracht 38 became available, Henk didn’t need to think twice. His business did well, but even so, after the better part of a decade, Henk performed an experiment by putting a rare and beautiful watch in the display window. It sold within days. He repeated this several times and then decided to focus on watches exclusively. Another decade on and his reputation – and therefore his business- is flourishing. He is a welcome presence on both internet for a and watch fairs around Europe. His excellent service and range of watches make him a favourite among many returning customers. The shop window and the shop itself are a sight to behold. Come witness for yourself, whether you can barely afford the small dial on a Rolex, or intend to purchase a Breitling from the early 20th century, it never hurts to look.

Vroom & Nobbe optician is a business that has been handed down to the second generation of the Nobbe family. They are currently starting to prepare the next generation to take over in due course. The shop at number 142 has graced the Elandsgracht since 1947, so a remarkable 65^th birthday is celebrated in 2012. All this time, it has never delivered anything less than “five star service”, as current owner, and nephew to the founder, explains. In turn, he has trained his son and daughter in the business, whereby the relevance and importance of true craftsmanship and specialism are accentuated.After all, it’s these aspects that differentiates Vroom & Nobbe from its competitors. But the shop has more aces up its sleeves. It visits people at home to bring its services to their doorstep, and does all the polishing, grinding and measurements by hand. That is not to say it shies away from technological advances: it has a feature on its website whereby you can see what different frames look like on your own face. Whether you need new glasses, lenses or nothing of the sort – this is a shop to treasure.

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.

Hollywood Mark Tattoo was established on the Elandsgracht in 2007, but owner Mark had by then already lived in The Netherlands for fifteen years. The discussion of fate vs coincidence is not one to be had here, but one cannot escape the notion Mark was destined to do what he does, and to end up right here. Mark was spotted in Los Angeles in the 1990s by Dutch tattoo legend Henk Schiffmacher, who was suitably impressed by the young artist’s work. So much so that he extended an invitation to join him as an apprentice. Mark jumped at the opportunity and quickly made a name for himself, soaking up the knowledge and skills that are now building and expanding Mark’s own reputation. Moreover, it is in Amsterdam that he met the love of his life. Mark runs a small yet very dedicated business, where no work of art leaves the shop without his own seal of approval. He has tattooed some of the biggest names in both Dutch and worldwide showbusiness, but is very discreet about all of that. He much prefers his work and that of his fellow tattoo artist, speak for themselves. Whether you are looking to get inked, or just want to see where vision and drive can get you, if you are looking for undiluted inspiration, come visit this place.

This bio-butcher’s has barely reached middle age, a respectable fourty six years old in 2012, but in a bustling city, specialising in what is still a niche market, that is quite an achievement. The bio-market may still be niche, but owner Niek does see the demand for biological meat grow. Niek inherited the artisanal approach to this profession from his dad Siem, the name that still adorns the front of the shop.  Siem was the co-founder of the ISC ( International Free range meat Control organisation). The traditional approach and work methods is also reflected in the pleasant interior. It is of course, spotless, but it has a hint of authenticity about it, with decorated woodwork, and some stained glass details. The customer truly is king here, as Niek says. Interaction with his customers, and their satisfaction with his productts, is all inherentin Niek’s dedication to his profession. And there is not a  recession or an out-of -commission bridge that will change that.