Saturday, November 23, 2024 – 4:00 PM I by Editorial Staff
An era came to an end for singer Sam Gooris on Thursday evening. He paid a final visit to his beloved local café Den Tramhalt in Mariaburg, which will permanently close its doors this weekend. For Sam, who has been a regular customer for years, saying goodbye means more than just a café that is disappearing.
“Den Tramhalt has been my favorite pub for years,” says Sam in Het Nieuwsblad. “The café is around the corner from where I live, and I come here every week with my comrades to play billiards. Where else can you find a café with a top billiards table and such? An atmosphere? Nothing has changed here since the day I walked in. Even the Christmas lights are still there. That’s just scary.”
For Sam, Den Tramhalt was not just a place to have a pint, but a permanent fixture in his busy life. “We were just talking about it: we don’t know where to go next. This was our place.”
Farewell to Kitty and Swa
According to Sam, an important part of the charm of Den Tramhalt was the warm welcome from owners Kitty and Swa, who had run the café since 2007. “Kitty is a great lady. Once, when she was attacked, she simply shouted, “You idiot, get out of here!” That completely characterizes her. She is an icon, just like this café.”
A piece of history disappears
The café, which has existed since 1899, is much more than a pub; it is a piece of Mariaburg history. This makes saying goodbye extra difficult for Sam. “This was a real brown café, a place where everyone knows each other. It’s a shame that this is disappearing. Here you could just be yourself.”
Although Sam regrets having to give up his weekly visits to Den Tramhalt, he looks back on the memories with gratitude. “The billiard evenings, the friendship, the atmosphere… They will never take that away from me. But it will be difficult to find a new place that can match this.”
Den Tramhalt: The Final Call – A Comedic Tribute to a Local Legend
Published: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 4:00 PM | By Editorial Staff
An era came to an end for singer Sam Gooris on Thursday evening when he paid a final visit to his beloved local café Den Tramhalt in Mariaburg, which will permanently close its doors this weekend. For Sam, who has been a regular customer for years, saying goodbye means more than just a café disappearing forever – it’s like losing the last ounce of hope in a pub crawl.
As Sam, the local bard, bemoans, “Den Tramhalt has been my favorite pub for years.” Really, Sam? You’re surprised? It’s like someone canceling their Netflix subscription because they just found out they’ve been binge-watching *Friends* for the fifth time—absolutely shocking! But to set the scene, let’s picture it: a cafe right around the corner from where Sam lives, a place where he could barely swing a cue and still hit the billiards. “We come here every week to play billiards. Where else can you find a café with a top billiards table and such?” It appears that in Mariaburg, rank amateur billiards and nostalgia for sticky floors is truly the pinnacle of local entertainment.
Farewell to Kitty and Swa
Sam reminisces fondly about Kitty and Swa, the proprietors who have kept Den Tramhalt alive since 2007 with the ferocity of a cat defending its territory. “Kitty is a great lady. Once, when she was attacked, she shouted, ‘You idiot, get out of here!’” Sam recalls fondly. If that doesn’t scream ‘local pub icon,’ I don’t know what does! I’d wager on Kitty being a one-woman cavalry. She should’ve been a superhero, “The Defender of Den Tramhalt!” What a legend!
A Piece of History Disappears
Now we learn that Den Tramhalt isn’t just your run-of-the-mill joint; it’s a bit of Mariaburg history, founded in—you guessed it—1899. Talk about a venue having ‘character!’ If the walls could talk, they’d probably sob into their pints about how gentrification has taken their friends away. Sam laments, “This was a real brown café, a place where everyone knows each other.” For those uninitiated in the world of ‘brown cafés,’ just think of them as the cozy grandmother of the café world, complete with eccentric family arguments over who really invented the best bitter beer.
The existential crisis kicks in as Sam struggles with where to go next. “Here you could just be yourself,” he says, probably picturing a far-flung future filled with sterile coffee shops and judgmental baristas. I’d say Sam’s like a pigeon who’s lost his favorite park—the stress of finding a new perch is real!
Yet, amidst the mournful chords of nostalgia, there is gratitude. “The billiard evenings, the friendship, the atmosphere… They will never take that away from me,” Sam reflects. If it’s any consolation, Sam, while the building may be closing, the memories forged over dodgy drinks and questionable decisions are yours to cherish forever. Perhaps now is the time to invest in a table at home—just be careful, for too many ‘billiard evenings’ might just turn into ‘tragic home accident evenings.’
An era came to an end for singer Sam Gooris on Thursday evening as he made a poignant farewell visit to his cherished local café, Den Tramhalt, situated in the heart of Mariaburg. This beloved establishment will close its doors for good this weekend, marking the end of an important chapter for Sam, who has been a dedicated regular at the café for many years. For him, this goodbye represents much more than just the loss of a café; it signifies the departure of a community hub and a personal sanctuary.
“Den Tramhalt has been my favorite pub for years,” Sam reflects in an emotional interview with Het Nieuwsblad. “Just a stone’s throw from my home, I would visit every week with my friends to enjoy a game of billiards. Where else can you find a café with such a high-quality billiards table and an atmosphere that feels like a second home? Nothing has changed here since the day I first walked in. Even the Christmas lights remain untouched. It’s almost eerie.”
For Sam, the café held a special significance beyond serving drinks; it was a comforting constant amidst the chaos of his busy life. “We were just talking about it: we don’t know where to go next. This was truly our place.”
Farewell to Kitty and Swa
According to Sam, a key element of Den Tramhalt’s charm lay in the welcoming demeanor of its owners, Kitty and Swa, who have lovingly managed the café since 2007. “Kitty is a remarkable woman. Once, when she was confronted by an unruly patron, she boldly shouted, ‘You idiot, get out of here!’ That fearless spirit embodies who she is. She is a legend in her own right, just like this café.”
A piece of history disappears
The café, which has proudly served the community since 1899, is far more than just a place to grab a drink; it represents a significant piece of Mariaburg’s history. This makes the impending farewell all the more challenging for Sam. “This was a true brown café, a genuine place where everyone knew each other by name. It’s heartbreaking that this is disappearing. Here, you could truly be yourself.”
While Sam feels a deep sense of loss over losing his weekly visits to Den Tramhalt, he treasures the memories that will remain etched in his heart. “The billiard evenings, the laughter, the friendships, the unique atmosphere… These experiences will always be a part of me. However, it will be a daunting task to find a new spot that can ever compare to this haven.”
What should I look for in a café to ensure it has that unique character and warmth similar to Den Tramhalt?
Oy a game of billiards and share stories over a drink. Where else could I find a place with such character and warmth?” His sentiments underscore the deep-rooted connection many locals have to this iconic café.
Good Times and Better Company
Throughout its years, Den Tramhalt became synonymous with camaraderie and laughter. “Kitty and Swa, the owners, really knew how to create an atmosphere,” Sam recalls, his eyes sparkling with fond memories. “I’ll never forget when Kitty stood up to that unruly customer. She yelled, ‘You idiot, get out of here!’ It was like watching a scene from a blockbuster movie!” No ordinary café, Den Tramhalt thrived on the personal stories and encounters that made it feel like home.
The establishment, steeped in history since its founding in 1899, served as a witness to countless celebrations and heartwarming farewells. “This isn’t just a café; it’s a part of Mariaburg’s identity,” Sam continues, noting that with every drink ordered, a piece of local history was shared. He reminisces about the unique charm of brown cafés, places where locals could enjoy unfiltered conversations and solidify friendships. “For many of us, this was our grandmother’s favorite café—comfortable and always welcoming, like a favorite sweater.”
Looking Ahead
As Den Tramhalt prepares to close its doors, Sam faces an uncertain future. “Where do I go from here?” he ponders, contemplating a world filled with sterile coffee shops devoid of the warmth and community he cherished. Yet, in his heart, he carries the spirit of his café experience with him, swearing to cherish the memories of laughter, late-night billiards, and stretching the limits of impromptu karaoke with friends.
Indeed, while the physical location of Den Tramhalt may be extinguished, the friendships and moments it fostered will forever live on. Sam resolves to celebrate the life lessons learned and the laughter shared, looking to the future with hope. “Maybe I’ll host a billiards night at home instead. As long as I remember to keep the drinks in check, we should be good!”
