We might be a bit bias saying this is the best bookstore in Belgium, but it is definitely up there. Stocking a range of the dutch/english books, cards and stationery, it is a 'must-see' for any stationery addict or bookworm visiting Antwerp.
Q. Tell us about why you opened the store?
Initially my husband and I wanted to open a children's bookshop. In those days I ran a small baby daycare in our house and my husband worked for a children's' books publisher; We had loads of children's books at home and my customers really appreciated the fact I spend so much time reading to their children. They told us they found it difficult to find all those books in Antwerp so that triggered us. However, when we went looking for a suitable location we fell in love with a way too big space in a beautiful historic building so decided to go for a general independent bookshop. It wasn't long before we started to include loads of cards and stationery, a personal passion!
Q. Is there a story behind your stores name?
The name is Dutch and means " the city reads". We are in a rather stately building with a long entrance hall and feared this might scare people from coming in. So, we wanted a very low profile name that means we are here for everyone.
Q. What has been the best moment in your stores life so far? That's a difficult question, we had so many memorable moments in those 7 years since opening. Although, I must say we had a very happy moment this week when our personalised stamps arrived! Haha, for a post-freak like me it is really pretty cool to have your own stamps with your shops' logo!Q. What is one item you can’t live without?
Maybe not very nice of me to think of her as an "item" but I can't imagine living without my dog Poppy. We have a little black whippet who is always with me, also in the shop. Where she has lots of fans, often kids. When we walk the streets of Antwerp I sometimes here shouting: look mummy, there goes Poppy from the bookshop!
Q. Where did you first hear about Katie Leamon?
We found out about Katie Leamon in the very best way one can find out about a card brand! My brother, who works in the shop, turned thirty and received a beautiful "thirty" Katie Leamon birthday card from English relatives. He showed it to me cause he very well knows my obsession with cards and he was sure I would love it. He was right and I immediately contacted Katie to become a stockist. My brother turned 35 last month so that's exactly 5 years ago!
Q. What is your favourite Katie Leamon Product?
It must be the Christmas Crackers! I still think Katie Leamon's are the prettiest ones I have ever seen. It is a very "exotic" item for us Belgians. We started introducing them anyway in our shops and at first it would be mainly British expats or tourists buying them but lately more and more Belgians are falling for this beautiful tradition of yours! I always try to safe some boxes for our staff's christmas party.
We might be a bit bias saying this is the best bookstore in Belgium, but it is definitely up there. Stocking a range of the dutch/english books, cards and stationery, it is a 'must-see' for any stationery addict or bookworm visiting Antwerp.
Q. Tell us about why you opened the store?
Initially my husband and I wanted to open a children's bookshop. In those days I ran a small baby daycare in our house and my husband worked for a children's' books publisher; We had loads of children's books at home and my customers really appreciated the fact I spend so much time reading to their children. They told us they found it difficult to find all those books in Antwerp so that triggered us. However, when we went looking for a suitable location we fell in love with a way too big space in a beautiful historic building so decided to go for a general independent bookshop. It wasn't long before we started to include loads of cards and stationery, a personal passion!
Q. Is there a story behind your stores name?
The name is Dutch and means " the city reads". We are in a rather stately building with a long entrance hall and feared this might scare people from coming in. So, we wanted a very low profile name that means we are here for everyone.
Q. What has been the best moment in your stores life so far?
That's a difficult question, we had so many memorable moments in those 7 years since opening. Although, I must say we had a very happy moment this week when our personalised stamps arrived! Haha, for a post-freak like me it is really pretty cool to have your own stamps with your shops' logo!
Q. What is one item you can’t live without?
Maybe not very nice of me to think of her as an "item" but I can't imagine living without my dog Poppy. We have a little black whippet who is always with me, also in the shop. Where she has lots of fans, often kids. When we walk the streets of Antwerp I sometimes here shouting: look mummy, there goes Poppy from the bookshop!
Q. Where did you first hear about Katie Leamon?
We found out about Katie Leamon in the very best way one can find out about a card brand! My brother, who works in the shop, turned thirty and received a beautiful "thirty" Katie Leamon birthday card from English relatives. He showed it to me cause he very well knows my obsession with cards and he was sure I would love it. He was right and I immediately contacted Katie to become a stockist. My brother turned 35 last month so that's exactly 5 years ago!
Q. What is your favourite Katie Leamon Product?
It must be the Christmas Crackers! I still think Katie Leamon's are the prettiest ones I have ever seen. It is a very "exotic" item for us Belgians. We started introducing them anyway in our shops and at first it would be mainly British expats or tourists buying them but lately more and more Belgians are falling for this beautiful tradition of yours! I always try to safe some boxes for our staff's christmas party.