In Amsterdam-Zuid you can never be completely sure whether the goods on display during King’s Day come from a professional antique shop or whether they were in the way of a house in this part of the city. Of course, they are certainly still there, the local residents with luxury toys, ski equipment, vintage sunglasses and also just a senseo machine on a rug. But more and more space is occupied by professional stalls.
Jewelry, football shirts, phone covers, new shoes, children’s clothes – neatly sorted in sizes 50/60 to 98/110 -, skateboards and, above all, a lot of clothing. King’s Day in Beethovenstraat is becoming increasingly professional.
“Delicious crepes, one euro!” a little boy shouts, while his friend is baking one.
At least that’s still old-fashioned, just not at that price.
Leather belts
There are a few professional stalls in front of the Etos. A man (“Preferably no name, chief”) sells leather belts. “Normally I am on the market, but I am only here on King’s Day. It used to be the best day of the year, but not anymore. That’s because of the purchasing power, I think, the inflation, the mood maybe.”
His neighbor Tarik sells tools – tweezers, scissors – made of stainless steel. “For fine work, model making, for example. It’s not a really good day for us, but it’s tradition. That’s also the fun part.”
But isn’t this day actually for children and their things? Tarik: “We have been here for three generations. My grandfather started it.”
Rain discount!
Further on, a couple stands behind a clothes rack and under two large umbrellas. “Rain discount!” Ramses shouts. “Everything with rain discount!”
“This is the best day of the year,” says Renée. “Do you want a tompouce?”
Ramses: “Or a royal bitter?”
They stand on the sidewalk in front of their house, just like their neighbors. “Every year only with clothes,” says Ramses. “The rule is: I lift everything down and I don’t bring anything up again.”
He regrets the increasing number of professional salespeople. “It is a pity. They are also a lot more aggressive. They tape up entire pieces and sleep here the night before. The best part is still meeting your neighbors here.”
Farm puzzle
Another classic image a little further on. A lonely father at a table with children’s toys. A beautiful wooden farm puzzle costs two euros. Has the child now flown? “Yes, she’s gone,” says Hernán. “It started to rain and she was bored. But she sat here with me from seven to nine, so that’s very good of her.”
He also sees the number of professionals increasing. Hernán: “They come so early, it is kinda crazy. Last year we were a little late and our spot was taken. In the end it worked out well, they moved up a bit, but the best thing is when neighbors all have a place here to sell their old stuff.”
The corner of Beethovenstraat-Apollolaan is completely packed with the business of bargain king Gideon Italiaander, but that store is also here the rest of the year and, moreover, at Italiaander every day is King’s Day.
Apollolaan
There are many more market stalls in Apollolaan, mainly with clothing. In some parts it looks like an ordinary market, except for the fruit and vegetables. Next to a clothing stall, a man has displayed about fifteen plastic boxes with beautiful toys. Cuddly bears, a go-kart, a whole box of dinosaurs. Is this professionally true or does he have that many children?
“No, that all belongs to my children, I have three,” says Floris (“Don’t tell the tax authorities, okay”). “I’m selling it for my ex-wife. That is a beautiful story. Here, just look at the pictures. She is now in Bali with the children and I can sell that old junk.”
So he is not a professional. Floris: “On the contrary. I’m in real estate. Otherwise I would be doing really bad business. I only sold for twenty euros. But you make your children happy, that’s what you do it for. Otherwise, go take a look on the other side. There is a professor there.”
For adults
Behind that stall is Jacqueline Tol (“Yes, an original Volendammer”). She sells stacks of vibrators, dildos and other vibrating goods. Tol: “Adults have to do something too!”
Is she a professional or was this still in the attic? Tol: “I had a webshop, but I closed it, the costs were too high. That’s why I sell everything for purchase price, otherwise I think it’s a shame.”
A young woman looks at a box with a small device. Tol: “I can say: that is a very nice one.”
The woman: “I can’t afford it for five euros.”
And so it is also a nice King’s Day in Beethovenstraat and Apollolaan.
About the author: Hans van der Beek has been working for Het Parool for over 25 years. In the past he had popular columns such as Hans Halveert and Schuim, now he mainly writes Amsterdam background stories and reports.
Tags: Neighborhood sees merchants space part meeting neighbors
-
