A collective effort from the city of Nijmegen generated €150,000 in just six days in 2014, bringing back to life Dekker, an independent bookseller with one hundred and sixty-seven years of history
Cultivation of tradition, the origins of Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers, a bookstore born in 1856
The cultivation of long-practiced traditions is proper of humankind. This is apparent in Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers, the bookstore and publishing house now pushed forth into the digital age, accruing almost two centuries of know-how and sale of literary goods.
The origins of the bookstore, as explained by Sara van Rijt – a long-time employee of the establishment – began in the year 1856. Founded by Mr. Dekker and Mr. van de Vegt, the establishment initially began as a purveyor of papers and stationary goods. In addition to these items, the business functioned as a bookbinder and seller of religious articles for the city of Utrecht.
Eight years into its function, the owners of the store made the decision to foray towards publishing. In expanding their business model, the owners of the establishment were able to strive in their area of expertise.
Dekker v.d. Vegt boekhandel and the 100-year anniversary of the Nijmegen location in 2022
In 1922, fifty-eight years after establishing in Utrecht, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers uprooted itself to Nijmegen. In its new-found home, Dekker v.d. Vegt boekhandel has remained in function for the last one hundred and one years.
Rijt adds that the establishment has since venerated the year 1922 as the bookstore’s year of birth in line with its 100-year anniversary. This decision came, with mutual agreement from the members of staff, where the celebration coincided with the bookstore’s transition from Utrecht to Nijmegen.
A reference for book distribution in the Nijmegen area, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers
In its change of location, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers began a long-standing relationship and business practice with the Catholic University of Nijmegen. In 1923, the bookseller and publisher maintained its stance as the sole publisher for all academic words that subsisted in the university, leading up to the mid-1960s. Rijt adds that whilst this partnership went on for an extended number of years, the publishing side of the business dissolved when it was taken over by a varied publisher in 1989.
The bookstore, she affirms, went on to exist in its own right. Since its departure from the publishing realm, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers continued to root itself in the greater city area of Nijmegen. Having relocated a number of times across the city, Rijt elucidates that the bookseller has made an indentation for itself in the periphery and among the inhabitants in Nijmegen and in the Netherlands at large since planting itself in the confines of a shop building in the city center.
Dekker v.d. Vegt bookstore operations across Netherlands and Germany: Arnhem, Sittard, and Maastricht
Since its voyage into the city, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers founded a small version of itself in the confines of the Nijmegen University till the year 2010. The bookstore additionally operates in various locations across the Netherlands, including Arnhem, Sittard, and Maastricht.
The now simply nicknamed ‘Dekker’ bookstores that subsisted in these locations were managed by a management group – one that oversaw the expansion of other commercial bookstores in the country. Once named Kluwer Groep Boekhandels, the management made amendments to its name – pivoting to Boekhandels Groep Nederland in 1992 and then to Selexyz in 2006.
Dekker’s history of management before re-defining its identity of ‘an independent bookseller with one hundred and sixty-seven years of experience’
While under the management of the Selexzy group – a group that would file for bankruptcy in 2012, Polare would come into view as the new managing entity. Under the governance of this group, Dekker would find itself merged with another local bookseller, De Slegte – a bookstore catering to second-hand literary goods. This joint venture, however, would not last the test of time.
As Rijt explains, Polare could not sustain itself financially, thus implicating Dekker and its contemporaries in the issue at large. The bookseller remarks that while Dekker was functioning well for its buyers and was earning a degree of profits, the financial constraints that were accrued over time by Polare would lead to the business shuttering down for a period of time in 2014.
Deciding to take matters into their own hands, the booksellers and owners of Dekker began a series of crowdfunding campaigns around Nijmegen. This collective effort generated €150,000 in a matter of six days, allowing them to rehabilitate Dekker into their desired vision – an independent bookseller with one hundred and sixty-seven years of history and experience. The bookstore commemorated its re-opening on the 1st of April of the same year since its temporary closure.
Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers is now under the guidance of three owners, namely, Monique Kauffman, Wieke Rommers, and Astrid Verhoeven
Since its independence, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkopers is now under the guidance of three owners, namely, Monique Kauffman, Wieke Rommers, and Astrid Verhoeven. It is under their direction that Dekker has appropriated itself as an independent bookseller circulating recondite literary goods.
Now, the new owners and booksellers are working to define the bookstore on their own terms. Providing a variety of reading materials ranging from literature, thrillers, children’s fiction, poetry, and historical written works, Dekker additionally sells periodicals and magazines.
Alongside their collection of first-hand reading goods, there lies an array of second-hand books, notebooks, stationary, and concept items that buyers can opt for. When queried on the selection of books and their buyers, Rijt explains that each section of the store is under the responsibility of an individual bookseller.
The services offered at Dekker: not only books
Within the confines of the business, employees work together and ensure collections are up-to-date.
According to Rijt, at Dekker the booksellers engage and maintain relationships – not only with themselves – but with their customers as well.
The layout of the establishment is followed through in tandem with the building they subsist in. Located on a single floor, there is an open-feeling attached to the interior. Completing the bookstore experience, Dekker has included a café in the middle, selling drinks and baked goods.
Alongside to regularly hosting events with authors present, Dekker has included an artwork piece by local creator, Andreas Hetfeld. The piece is a depiction of birds that are shaped in the manner of books, hanging from the ceiling.
Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkoper
Marikenstraat 29, 6511 PX Nijmegen, Netherlands. Almost two centuries old and still persisting, Dekker v.d. Vegt Boekverkoper now persists as an independent bookseller in the city Nijmegen in the Netherlands.
