Historic Amsterdam tea shop to close after nearly four centuries of service

After nearly 400 years of service, the beloved tea and coffee shop 't Zonnetje, located on the Haarlemmerdijk, will close its doors for good at the end of May, Het Parool reports. The closure comes after repeated rent hikes and a series of legal battles that have left owner Marie-Louise Velder at her breaking point.

"I never thought this would happen," Velder, 76, who has owned the shop since 2000, told Het Parool. "It's bittersweet, especially in the year Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary. My heart breaks as I watch this historic business fade away.

Opened in 1642, 't Zonnetje originally sold coal and buckets of water to Amsterdam's residents before expanding its offerings to tea and coffee. Over the years, it became known for its selection of specialty beverages, including Ethiopian coffee beans and Chinese lapsang souchong tea. Velder sourced her products from ports in Hamburg and Antwerp, and for 25 years, traveled to Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia, China, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka to find the best quality coffee and tea.

But despite her dedication to the business, rising costs have made it impossible to keep 't Zonnetje afloat. Velder explained that her rent, which was once 18,000 euros per year, has steadily increased to 36,000 euros in recent years. The landlord now seeks to double the rent once again. "The court reduced the proposed rent increase to 50,000 euros annually, retroactive to last September," she said. "That’s still too high. On a weekday, I only make about 300 euros in sales, and that has to cover everything, including my staff's salaries. It's simply not sustainable."

The escalating rent was not the only challenge Velder faced. Years of legal conflicts, particularly with businessman Jan Riemens, added to her stress. Riemens had initially stepped in to assist Velder financially when she was struggling, but things soured when he began demanding more control over the business. "He wanted to buy the store, and when I refused, he threatened to 'destroy' me. Well, he succeeded," Velder explained. After years of legal battles, Velder now finds herself drained, both emotionally and financially.

Despite the challenges, Velder’s loyal customers have rallied around her. As she spoke in the backroom of the shop, where time seems to have stood still for over a century, a steady stream of customers offered words of support. "I can’t believe you’re leaving," said one neighborhood resident, placing an arm around Velder's shoulder. "It’s horrible that this is all happening because of people who only care about money."

Another customer lamented the loss of the original shops on the Haarlemmerdijk. "One by one, the real shops are closing, and all that’s replacing them are the trendy spots for young professionals."

The future of 't Zonnetje remains uncertain. Velder fears the building’s landlord, who has long considered the shop to be outdated, will completely renovate the space. "He’s been saying for years that he doesn’t care for the old stuff here, so everything will probably be ripped out," she said, gesturing toward the wooden shelves that reach the ceiling, laden with tea tins. "It’s a mess, but isn’t that part of its charm?"

For now, Velder remains resolute in her decision to close, even though it comes with deep sadness. "What can I do? I’m just an ordinary person trying to survive," she said. The store’s closure will mark the end of an era for both the neighborhood and the city of Amsterdam.