The curtain has fallen on the village café in Weerdinge. Operator Markus Goetz closed the doors of Café Weerdinge a while ago. Building owner Derk Jan Weeke thinks that this is the definitive end of the establishment. “I saw it coming,” he says.
Owner Goetz took over the pub on Dorpsstraat last year with his then partner. “The couple recently broke up. It became too much work for the manager. As a result, it turned out that it was not feasible to keep the café running. In addition, it appears once again that, as in many villages, it is difficult to keep a brown to keep the pub going,” says Weeke.
Café Weerdinge has a rich history. The stately building has housed a catering facility since the end of the nineteenth century. The building included a pub, hotel, cinema and liquor store.
The pub has changed owners several times in recent years. In 2021, Weeke bought the building from operators Henk van der Heide and Irene Gosselink, who had had enough after fifteen years. Weeke in turn approached catering man Wim Klasen. He managed the bar of the pub for two years.
With the disappearance of the pub, the destruction in the Weerdinger catering industry continues. In the past four years, Brasserie Wombat and Snelbuffet Westerhof also disappeared from the village. The only existing catering point is now Irish restaurant Flanagan’s.
There are currently seven different addresses located in the building on Dorpsstraat. One of them is Goetz’s home. “I don’t know if I want to have a bar in there anymore,” says Weeke. “Of course you always have noise from a pub. In this case I knew the owners, that made it different.” Also financially speaking, Weeke is not affected by the departure of the pub. “I didn’t charge much rent. I don’t think it matters much.”
Does Weeke also want to convert the rest of the building into living space? “I don’t know yet. It’s still too early days. We’ll think about that in the near future,” he concludes.
The Last Supper at Café Weerdinge
Ah, Café Weerdinge, a quaint little spot that has officially succumbed to the cruel clutches of time and changing tastes. That’s right, folks — the doors have closed, and it seems like the only thing remaining in this village café is the lingering smell of stale beer and a few sad memories. Operator Markus Goetz decided to pull the plug on the establishment, and it looks like Derk Jan Weeke, the building owner, is not shedding any tears. In fact, he had a front-row seat to the inevitable curtain call.
“I saw it coming,” Weeke muses, probably while sipping a robust cup of “I told you so.” Goetz took over the café just last year with his partner — a bit of a romantic venture, you might say. But, alas, things soured faster than milk left out in the sun. They broke up and, apparently, so did the feasibility of keeping the café afloat. Funny how love can make you feel like you’re on Cloud Nine until the rent check arrives. It’s a pity it turned out to be too much work for the manager, who discovered managing a pub isn’t exactly all pints and fun times.
A quick history lesson shows us that Café Weerdinge has been a fixture in the village since the 19th century. I mean, this place has seen more owners than a football club in a dodgy transfer window! It has worn many hats — a pub, hotel, cinema, and even a liquor store. Talk about versatility! But now? Now it’s just another casualty in the ongoing tragedy that is the Weerdinger catering industry. Talk about being down and out — if these places were a film, they’d be an Oscar-winning drama.
In the past four years, the coffee shop farce has continued with the closures of Brasserie Wombat and Snelbuffet Westerhof, leaving us with just one remaining option for a night out: the ever-tempting Irish restaurant Flanagan’s. I’m just saying, if you wanted to enjoy a festive atmosphere and a pint without the façade of a local pub, you can always rely on a leprechaun, right? At least Flanagan’s has retained some kind of cultural value; you can always rely on a good old-fashioned pub brawl; it comes with the territory!
Meanwhile, Weeke, ever the optimist (or was it pragmatist?), tentatively speculated about renting the space out to a new tenant. You know, perhaps a yoga studio — “Downward Dog in a former pub, anyone?” But really, it seems he’s not entirely sold on the idea. “I don’t know if I want to have a bar in there anymore,” he said. It’s tough to say what the next chapter will be. Maybe a karaoke bar? Who wouldn’t want to belt out ‘Wonderwall’ in the place where hopes and dreams went to die?
So what’s it going to be, Derk? Will the ghosts of past patrons haunt the building, or will you convert it into living space? “It’s still too early days,” he says. People are literally waiting with bated breath for news about whether they should pack their bags and move into a former café or just keep drowning their sorrows at Flanagan’s. Whatever the outcome, let’s hope we can raise a glass to the memories, mourn the loss of our beloved Café Weerdinge, and maybe, just maybe, keep the lights on in this little corner of the world.
In conclusion, as we bid adieu to Café Weerdinge, let’s remember this: every ending has a new beginning, usually a bad pun waiting to happen. And while we may have lost our favourite local hangout, at least we still have these wonderful stories to laugh about — cheers to that!
The curtain has fallen on the storied Café Weerdinge in Weerdinge as its operator, Markus Goetz, has officially closed the doors to this beloved local gathering spot. In a moment of reflection, building owner Derk Jan Weeke conjectures that this closure marks a definitive end for the establishment that has been a focal point in the community. “I saw it coming,” he expresses, with a tone of resignation.
Goetz took over the charming pub situated on Dorpsstraat only last year in collaboration with his then partner; however, the recent breakup between the couple has added undue pressure to the managerial responsibilities. “It became too much work for the manager,” Weeke explains, elaborating on the challenges of maintaining the café amidst personal turmoil. “As a result, it turned out that it was not feasible to keep the café running.” This scenario underscores a persistent issue faced by many small villages: the ongoing struggle to sustain traditional taverns and pubs, which seem to be dwindling in number.
Café Weerdinge boasts a rich and complex history, having served the community through various iterations since the late nineteenth century. The stately building has worn many hats over the decades, functioning not just as a pub but also as a hotel, cinema, and liquor store, making it an integral part of local heritage.
Ownership of the pub has changed hands several times in recent years, which often complicates its survival. In 2021, Weeke purchased the building from operators Henk van der Heide and Irene Gosselink, who decided to step away after a dedicated fifteen-year tenure. Following this transition, Weeke enlisted the expertise of catering professional Wim Klasen, who managed the bar for a subsequent two years before the establishment met its recent fate.
The closure of Café Weerdinge adds to an alarming trend of diminishing hospitality options in Weerdinge, as noted by Weeke. Over the past four years, the community has seen not just one but two other establishments – Brasserie Wombat and Snelbuffet Westerhof – cease operations, reducing the once vibrant culinary landscape to a single surviving venue: the Irish restaurant Flanagan’s.
As for the future of the building located on Dorpsstraat, it currently hosts seven different addresses, including the residence of Goetz. Weeke provides insight into his thoughts regarding the establishment’s future, stating, “I don’t know if I want to have a bar in there anymore.” He acknowledges the inevitable noise and activity that accompanies a pub, remarking that his familiarity with previous owners made the situation more manageable. However, financially, Weeke feels unaffected by the café’s closure, indicating, “I didn’t charge much rent,” and adding, “I don’t think it matters much.”
While contemplating possible new directions, Weeke remains noncommittal about converting the remaining spaces into living areas. “I don’t know yet. It’s still too early days. We’ll think about that in the near future,” he concludes, leaving the door open for further considerations.
How does Derk Jan Weeke envision the future of the location where Café Weerdinge once operated?
**Interview with Derk Jan Weeke, Owner of the Building Housing Café Weerdinge**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sitting down with me today, Derk. Let’s dive right in. When did you first realize that Café Weerdinge was facing closure?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** Honestly, I saw it coming for a while. When Markus took over with his partner last year, I hoped it would rejuvenate the café, but the pressures of running a business alongside personal issues became overwhelming.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the breakup did play a significant role in the café’s downfall. How did it affect the day-to-day operations?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** It was tough. The burdens of management fell solely on Markus after they parted ways. It became too much for him. Running a pub is not just about pouring pints; it requires a lot of love and dedication, and without that, it’s hard to keep it going.
**Interviewer:** Café Weerdinge has such a rich history in this community. Can you tell me more about its past?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** Absolutely! The building has been a part of Weerdinge since the late 19th century. It’s had various roles throughout the decades — from a pub to a hotel, cinema, and even a liquor store. It’s deeply woven into the fabric of our village.
**Interviewer:** With the café now closed, it feels like a pattern of declines in the local catering industry. What are your thoughts on that?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** It is indeed a troubling trend. Over the past four years, we’ve seen Brasserie Wombat and Snelbuffet Westerhof also close their doors. That leaves Flanagan’s as the only remaining spot for locals. It’s sad, really, because these establishments create a sense of community.
**Interviewer:** What’s next for the location of Café Weerdinge? Do you have any plans for the space?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** It’s still too early to say. I’m considering various options, including potentially converting part of the building into living spaces. The idea of renting to a new tenant has crossed my mind, but I’m not sure if a bar is the right fit anymore.
**Interviewer:** Would you consider a non-catering business, perhaps something unconventional like a yoga studio?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** (chuckles) It’s a possibility. “Downward Dog” with a side of nostalgia might be a fun concept. But in all seriousness, I’ll need to assess what will work for the community and the building.
**Interviewer:** In light of this closure, what is your hope for the future of cafés and pubs in small villages like Weerdinge?
**Derk Jan Weeke:** I hope to see a revival of local spaces where people can gather. It’s important for community cohesion. However, it requires a model that fits modern needs—something that combines hospitality with sustainable business practices.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights and reflections today, Derk. It’s clear that the story of Café Weerdinge is just one part of a larger narrative about community, tradition, and change.
**Derk Jan Weeke:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope we can find some light amidst the changes ahead for our village.
