economie en bedrijven

Headline:
icon-bag: Tilburg‘s Iconic Leather Goods Store, G. de Man-Melis, Closes After Nearly 80 Years

For nearly eight decades, the bustling streets of Tilburg have been home to G. de Man-Melis, a renowned leather goods store that has become a staple in the city and beyond. Sadly, the time has come for this iconic institution to close its doors, marking the end of an era.

Subheading:
icon-calendar: A Family Legacy That Transcended Generations

Established in 1947 by Gerard de Man and Betsie Melis, this family-owned business began as a humble tassenzaak and evolved into a beloved local institution. The couple, with their remarkable skill and dedication, cultivated a reputation for unparalleled craftsmanship and exceptional service.

Opening Paragraph:
Despite their modest beginnings, Gerard and Betsie’s relentless efforts paid off. Their sons and daughters—10 children in total, including 9 daughters and 1 son—grew up learning the ropes of the family business, ensuring that the legacy of G. de Man-Melis would endure for generations to come.

Body:

• The Founders: Birth of a Legacy
  Gerard, a trained shoe and bag maker, crafts all products in-house and was renowned for his booktassen and fietstassen. Betsie, his dedicated partner, managed the family and the day-to-day running of the store. Together, they created a space that felt like home to countless local customers.

• Generations of Vakmanschap
  Gerard, a master of his craft, catered to each customer’s individual needs. His prowess was such that he could create a perfectly fitting schoolbag or cycle bag within a matter of days, earning the admiration of many, including his daughters.

  His daughters, Ans, Karin, and Charlot, took over the reins of the business, carrying on the tradition of excellence. "Seeing how he made those bags, it’s truly impressive," recalls Karin, a testament to the high regard in which their father’s skill was held.

• An Emotional Farewell
  The impending closure of G. de Man-Melis has stirred a maelstrom of emotions, not only among the family but also within the community. Customers like Joke van Gestel, who bought her first schoolbag from the store decades ago, are saddened by the news. "It’s a shame that they’re closing," she says, "It’s nearby, feels familiar, and the quality is excellent."

• The Final Bow
  On March 1, after nearly 80 years of serving generations of Tilburgers, G. de Man-Melis will close its doors. The three sisters face this milestone with a mix of emotions—regret, gratitude, and acceptance. As Charlot puts it, "It’s starting to feel a bit tense and jittery," while Ans admits, "We’re also going to have a little tear as we close this chapter."

Closing Paragraph:
As we bid farewell to G. de Man-Melis, let us take a moment to appreciate the countless lives it has touched, the memories it has created, and the incomparable service it has provided to the community. Though the store may close, its legacy lives on, woven into the fabric of Tilburg’s rich history.

Title: Dutch Baker’s New Year’s Twist: The Crispy Worstenbroodje

In the spirit of innovation and originality, renowned Dutch baker Jan Nagelkerke from Oudenbosch has added a unique twist to the classic New Year’s Eve snack. Introducing the ‘vetklep’ – a deep-fried worstenbroodje that’s set to be the talk of the town this holiday season.

The vetklep was born out of weekly experiments Nagelkerke conducts on his popular TikTok account. "Every week, we create a new variation of our worstenbroodje," Nagelkerke revealed in the KEIgoeiemorgen! radio program on Omroep Brabant. "We asked our followers for original ideas, and one suggestion was a New Year’s worstenbroodje. That got us thinking."

Initially, they attempted to create a ‘worstbal’ – a ball of worstenbroodgehakt wrapped in dough. However, this didn’t quite hit the mark. "The outside became too dark and the inside didn’t cook through," Nagelkerke explained. Undeterred, they decided to try frying the worstenbroodje instead, given that they had the deep fryer out for making oliebollen. The result? A crispy, delicious New Year’s snack that’s been a hit with customers.

Nagelkerke stressed that they don’t usually deep-fry their worstenbroodjes. "This is the first time we’ve done it. We only have the deep fryer on this week because of the oliebollen," he said. The secret to a perfect vetklep? "Make sure the edges are closed tightly and fry it for about six minutes," Nagelkerke advised.

The vetklep isn’t greasy, with only the outside picking up the oil – much like an oliebol. Nagelkerke warned against throwing pre-made worstenbroodjes into the fryer, stressing that they should be made fresh and not baked in the oven before frying. "They should be cooked in the deep fryer at 175 degrees," he said.

While Nagelkerke doesn’t claim that everything tastes better when fried, he’s confident that the vetklep is a winner. "This one is really, really good!" he exclaimed. Since posting the vetklep on TikTok, many customers have already placed orders.

The vetklep joins a list of innovative New Year’s snacks created by Dutch bakers in recent years. In 2013, Tilburg baker Ruud Smolders introduced the ‘Royke’ – a worstenbroodje with katenspek, named after ‘stylist of the south’ Roy Donders. Last year, Valkenswaard chef Herman Cooijmans created an oliebol filled with kaviaar and dried ham. And in 2019, Christel de Laat, also known as Betty van den Oetelaar, gained fame for her Frikandellen Kerstcake and Anti-katerlasagne.

So, if you’re looking to add a unique twist to your New Year’s Eve celebration this year, consider giving the vetklep a try. It’s sure to be a hit with your guests – and maybe even inspire some creative snacking of your own!

Title: Black Friday Frenzy: Holiday Shoppers butting Heads Over Bargains

The tension was palpable at Veldhoven’s Coppelmans Garden Center this past weekend, as two shoppers squared off over the same discounted Christmas house, symbolizing the competitive spirit that often takes over during holiday sales events. As they wished each other anything but merry Christmas, it left many wondering: what is it about bargains that brings out the worst in people?

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In the heat of the holiday shopping season, garden centers transform into hotbeds of competition, with bargain-hunting customers ready to pounce on discounted seasonal items. The third day of Christmas is no exception, with entire collections slashed in price, drawing in hordes of shoppers eager to scoop up the best deals.

The Psychology Behind Sale Frenzy

According to psychologist Leo Ligthart, our primal instincts kick in when we’re on the hunt for bargains. "We’re essentially hunters seeking the best catch," he explains. "When that catch seems threatened, aggressive behaviors can emerge."

Naturally, cramped spaces filled with eager shoppers don’t help matters. The chaos of bustling winkelkarretjes, blasted music, and quickly dwindling discounts can push even the most patient shoppers to their limits.

Black Friday Frenzy

These situations aren’t isolated to holiday sales; they resonate all year round, with Black Friday and other sale events seeing similar spectacles. As Ligthart puts it, "The more people there are, the more likely irritations grow."

While there’s no surefire way to guarantee a pleasant shopping experience amid the madness, expert advice includes deep breathing and finding moments of calm, like listening to music or simply counting to ten. Better yet, perhaps remembering the true spirit of the season wouldn’t hurt either—finding joy in others’ happiness might just save you (and them) from a mineral-acid shower of epic proportions.

Navigating Holiday Sales

Regardless of how you tackle holiday shopping, maintaining a calm demeanor—and, dare we say, a smidge of holiday cheer—can help diffuse tense situations. Remaining patient and understanding can help prevent black Friday from turning into a black eye—or worse, a black and blue holiday season.

Stay Informed

To keep you clued in on all things shopping and beyond, be sure to bookmark and regularly visit this section of our site for the latest updates, tips, and trends on everything from tech gadgets to fashion must-haves.

Mist Causes Flight Disruptions at Eindhoven Airport; Passengers Stranded, Flights Diverted and Cancelled

Friday evening brought significant challenges to Eindhoven Airport as dense mist caused numerous flight disruptions. Multiple inbound flights were unable to land and were diverted to other airports. Additionally, several outbound flights scheduled for Friday night were cancelled.

The Netherlands has been placed under code yellow weather alert due to the prevailing mist, affecting air travel across the country. Passengers bound for Eindhoven from Alicante, Prague, and Malaga found their flights cancelled, leading to unexpected overnight stays. Similarly, flights from Eindhoven to Prague, Sevilla, and Venice were also cancelled.

Re Routed Flightsmean unexpected layovers for travelers from Sevilla, Hurghada, Malaga, Ibiza, and Marrakesh, with diverted flights landing at Schiphol, Weeze, Cologne, or Düsseldorf instead.

Saturday Disruptions Expected

Saturday morning is expected to bring more flight alterations, with mist predicted to continue until 10 AM. The airport spokesperson confirmed that flights could still be affected during this period.

Passengers with Eindhoven as their final destination are advised to contact their airlines for any potential compensation claims.

Eindhoven Airport’s struggle with Mist

Eindhoven Airport grapples more frequently with mist-related issues than other airports, largely due to its less advanced systems compared to Schiphol. An upgrade to its landing and takeoff equipment, scheduled for 2027, aims to alleviate these issues by enabling safe flights in dense mist.

Read more: Eindhoven Airport’s struggle with mist explained Upcoming 2027 closure for Eindhoven Airport’s upgrade

Headline: After Over a Century, Breda’s Family-Run Ovéka Car Rental Business to Close Due to Lack of Succession

For more than a century, the de Vos brothers, Henk (73) and Ger (65), have been running the family car rental business, Ovéka B.V., in Breda. Unfortunately, there’s no one to take over the reins, and the duo has decided it’s time to enjoy their hard-earned retirement. "It’s time for ourselves," they admit jointly.

Starting life as a car sales business in Klundert back in 1921, Ovéka B.V. was founded by their grandfather, who handled sales, while their great-grandfather managed the books. After the war, the business moved to Breda, where it began offering car rentals in addition to sales.

Ovéka B.V. has carved out a niche for itself in Breda, offering a wide range of vehicles for hire, from buses and trucks to oldtimers for special occasions. However, Henk and Ger will bid farewell to their loyal customers after nearly 40 years at the helm come next week. "It’s sad, but it’s also time for us," Ger says. "I won’t miss the work, but I’ll definitely miss the customers."

Despite the impending closure, Henk and Ger are determined to leave on a positive note. "We want to focus on our wives and enjoy life without regrets," Henk says. After much deliberation, they’ve decided to retire and sell the property where Ovéka B.V. has been based for decades.

The brothers built strong relationships with their customers over the years, welcoming everyone with open arms. "There wasn’t a high barrier; everyone could come and ask for what they needed," Henk recalls. Locals and institutions alike, including the tax office, Stichting Amarant, and even Sinterklaas, have availed of Ovéka B.V.’s services throughout the years.

As the duo calls it quits, they’ll leave behind a legacy that will be sorely missed by the people of Breda. While they look forward to a well-deserved retirement, Henk and Ger will always cherish the memories made along the way.