Mar 24, 2009 0
Bijenkorf warehouse in Amsterdam
The Bijenkorf (beehive) is the most exclusive department store in Amsterdam.
It started out as a small sewing notions shop at nearby Nieuwendijk, in the year 1870.
In 1912 the owner bought several additional shops at Nieuwendijk, intending to expand his store. In order to facilitate the expansion project, he temporarily moved his store to Dam square.
However, when turnover at the new location turned out to be five times as high as at Nieuwendijk, it was decided to keep the store at Dam square.
Bankers, however, did not want to finance a specialty store at that location. Therefore the owner decided to turn his sewing notions shop into a warehouse.
The Bijenkorf in its current form officially opened in 1915. The store introduced many marketing tactics that were new to Holland, including art exhibitions by young artists and fanciful store windows.
- Source: DutchAmsterdam.nl
Over the years the warehouse became known for its exclusive brand names aimed at high-class shoppers.
Until a few years ago in the month of December, the store was a popular destination for parents with children. Unlike nowadays, the shop windows were carefully and beautifully decorated — in December reflecting the Saint Nicholas and Christmas feasts.
In recent years The Bijenkorf has lost much of its ertswhile luster. While it still carries exclusive brands and expensive goods, the overall look and feel of the store has been greatly cheapened.
