The trusted partner for high-quality dry cleaning services for 60 years
Hague family business Stomerij Veldkamp on Frederik Hendriklaan exists 60 years and that was celebrated today with a tribute by Mayor Jan van Zanen. He received the first copy of the book 'Laundry'. This book, published by Stomerij Veldkamp, is full of photos and stories taken by and from the experience of artist Joeri van Beek. She worked at the family business for some time. Founders Hans and Ada Veldkamp started their laundromat in 1964, becoming one of the first in the Netherlands to start steaming clothes in 1968. In 2006, daughter Evelien Veldkamp took over the business and is still at the helm today. Now, 60 years later, Stomerij Veldkamp is still the trusted partner in providing high quality dry cleaning services with a focus on quality, service and personal attention. For more information, please visit: www.veldkampwassen.nl
Main photo: The team from Stomerij Veldkamp, Mayor Jan van Zanen, Evelien Veldkamp, Frank Overhand, Ada and Hans Veldkamp and Joeri van Beek © Jort Stengs
Eye for greening
Evelien Veldkamp is proud that the family business can celebrate the anniversary and that Mayor Jan van Zanen has expressed the significance of Dry Cleaning Veldkamp to the community, "What an honor it was to have Mayor Jan van Zanen at our anniversary celebration and how proud I am of my team. Last year we gave the business a major makeover with an eye for greening. Because do you want environmentally conscious laundry? Then you go to the laundromat. Washing at home is dirtier and you use more suds than you actually need. In our new machines, the laundry is weighed and the amount of detergent is adjusted accordingly. The same goes for the water dosage. Everything is matched exactly. And in case anyone thinks: the more detergent, the cleaner? Alas. What is true: the more detergent, the more foam. But foam does not get your laundry clean... Also, both companies and individuals in The Hague can have their laundry picked up and delivered by our electrically powered company bus."
How it all started
For 60 years, Stomerij Veldkamp has been located at the same address on Frederik Hendriklaan. In 1977, however, a fire seemed to throw a spanner in the works. Both the first floor and second floor were completely reduced to ashes, but with hard work and creative shopping hours, Hans and Ada made sure they could return to the same place. By contrast, a highlight was that in 1992, son and brother Bart Veldkamp became Olympic Champion and was honored on Fred, in front of Stomerij Veldkamp. That gave a huge boost to the company's fame.
Photo above: Mayor Jan van Zanen and Evelien Veldkamp.
Photo below: Ada, Evelien and Hans Veldkamp © Jort Stengs
The takeover
In 2005, parents Hans and Ada thought it was enough. They started looking for a buyer for the laundry/dry cleaning business. After several talks, daughter Evelien decided to take over the business in 2006, including all employees. "At first I didn't have the ambition to take over the business. My children were very young at the time, but in view of the great time I always had when my parents lived above the store and were therefore always around, I realized that I wanted to offer them this too. Besides, I thought it would be a huge shame if the business that my parents had worked so hard on ceased to exist. My children aren't thinking about taking over the business now either, but who knows, maybe in a while they will think the same as I did then!" said Veldkamp.
After the acquisition, the years passed without major problems until the pandemic. Much of the sales fell away as many business customers, such as catering establishments and theaters, had to close. The plan to redesign the store had to be put on hold of necessity. Doubts whether the business was going to make it were strong, but with strong perseverance, it is now busier than ever.
